Italy pushes for TTIP talks to continue, France calls for halt
Negotiations to create a transatlantic free-trade area between the US and the European Union would take longer than expected but would succeed, a top-ranking Italian official said.
In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Carlo Calenda, Italy´s trade and industry minister, said it would be difficult to close a deal before President Obama left the White House, but that an agreement was essential for Rome.
"But we have to carry on. This accord is essential for Italy. [...] TTIP will be sealed. It is inevitable," he said, according to Reuters.
Earlier on Tuesday, France´s own trade minister said that following three years of talks to create the TransatlanticTrade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and with no agreement in sight, talks should be halted.