European parliament rejects launch of EU-US trade talks

European lawmakers have rejected proposals to launch trade talks with the United States.

According to AFP, European MPs voted by a margin of 223-198 against providing the Commission with a mandate to start talks, with 37 MEPs reportedly having abstained.

To take note of, the EP's role is only advisory, although any final agreement needs to be approved by the chamber.

In response, the US President, Donald Trump, reportedly said that if the European Union did not talks to the US then Washington would place tariffs on European products.

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