EU Officials: US Participation in Paris Climate Deal Key for Resuming Trade Talks

Officials from some EU member states and the bloc’s executive branch have affirmed in recent weeks that the US’ continued participation in the UN’s Paris Agreement on climate change is essential if the two sides are to resume formal trade talks in the future. Speaking to the French Parliament early this month, France’s Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne indicated that the Paris Agreement would be an integral part of all EU trade agreements moving forward, including any involving the United States. “One of our main demands is that any country who signs a trade agreement with EU should implement the Paris Agreement on the ground,” Lemoyne said . “No Paris Agreement, no trade agreement. The US knows what to expect.” EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström concurred with the French minister’s statement via social media site Twitter , saying in response to questions on the subject that “Yes Paris deal reference [is] needed in all EU trade agreement[s] today.” She noted that such language is already planned for the EU’s trade deal with the Mercosur countries, as well as the modernisation of its existing agreement with Mexico, both of which are said to...