EU backs trade negotiations with US

European Union countries have given final clearance to start formal trade talks with the United States after months of delay due to resistance from France.

In the end, the EU governments voted by a clear majority to approve the negotiating mandates proposed by the European Commission, with France voting against and Belgium abstaining.

The Commission, which coordinates trade policy for the 28-member European Union, wants to start negotiations on two tracks - one to cut tariffs on industrial goods, the other to make it easier for companies to show products meet EU or US standards.