EU-US trade agreement to be discussed
Steps to broker a major EU-US trade agreement are being taken in Dublin today.
Members of the European Parliament are meeting with members of the US Congress in Leinster House.
They will explore the prospects of developing a barrier-free transatlantic market between the US and the European Union.
The EU Council of Ministers is expected to formally authorise the opening of EU-US trade negotiations in June but an agreement may take several years to broker.
The Chair of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the US, Christian Ehler said he is keen to strike a trade agreement with the US.
"Basically it's the search for growth, there is big potential in an integrated transatlantic market," he said.
"We expect at least 4-5% growth in Europe and in the United States if we could agree on a substantial trade agreement
"It could be a perfect opportunity to create growth."
