site.btaEuropean Food and Technology Quality Rules are Non-Negotiable, EC Spokesperson Says

European Union food safety standards and technology rules are non-negotiable, European Commission Spokesperson Olof Gill said on Tuesday at a press conference in Brussels, in response to questions related to ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. EU citizens expect food requirements to remain the highest in the world, he added.

The Spokesperson noted that today, the EU imports 77% more food and agricultural goods from the US in comparison to 2005. The EU is the largest buyer of oil and gas from the US. This seems like a great friendship, not exploitation, the Spokesperson said in response to President Donald Trump’s comments.

The EU has made it clear that it proposes a zero-for-zero tariff deal on cars and industrial goods. This would open up great opportunities for both sides, Gill noted. The facts do not confirm that the EU is taking advantage of the US in trade, he concluded.

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said that during his visit to Washington this week, he would continue negotiations following the EU and the US introducing a 90-day window on imposing additional tariffs. The European Union is seeking a fair deal on tariffs with the United States, Sefcovic said on Monday on the social network X, adding that this would require a "significant joint effort" on both sides.