BRUSSELS — A U.S. official says there is no reason to keep the movie and television industry out of upcoming trans-Atlantic free-trade negotiations with the European Union, despite France saying that sector should be excluded.
U.S. Ambassador to the EU William E. Kennard also said Thursday that his country has not tried to keep any sector out of the negotiations with the 27-nation EU, countering French claims that Washington would exclude financial services.
The talks are expected to kick off next month after President Barack Obama and EU leaders announced on Monday that they would seek a free trade deal between the world's two mightiest economic regions. Such a pact would create a market with common standards and regulations across countries that together account for nearly half the global economy.
