Foreign Affairs Council, 13/05/2016, 13 May 2016

Main results

The coming months will be crucial. Time is short if we are to finalise the talks before the end of the year, but we are striving for an ambitious outcome in all key areas of the agreement. EU interests must be reflected. There will be no 'TTIP-light'. Lilianne Ploumen, minister for foreign trade and development cooperation of the Netherlands and president of the Council.

Trade negotiations with the United States

The Council reviewed developments in negotiations on TTIP, the transatlantic trade and investment partnership with the United States.

It acknowledged that important progress had been made in recent months, whilst much work remains before political negotiations can begin in earnest.

Trade agreement with Canada

The Council discussed a draft trade and investment agreement with Canada, the 'comprehensive economic and trade agreement' (CETA).

"Member states are very supportive of this agreement", Ms Ploumen said; "our aim is for it to be signed at an EU-Canada summit in October".

The Commission confirmed its intention to submit a proposal in June 2016 for signature of CETA.

Steel industry

The Council discussed the crisis in the steel industry, in the light of a communication from the Commission.

It assessed the challenges stemming from overcapacity at global level and a fall in demand, a surge in imports and unfair trading practices, and the consequent fall in prices. It considered the trade-related aspects of the Commission's communication, including how to modernise the EU's defences against unfair trade practices.

The Council called for technical work to proceed on these issues without delay.

WTO/Post-Nairobi

The Council discussed the way forward in the ongoing WTO negotiations in the light of the outcomes of the December 2015 ministerial conference in Nairobi.

It emphasised the importance of the WTO at the heart of a well-functioning, inclusive multilateral trading system and the EU's commitment to Doha Development Agenda issues. Ministers also stressed that new issues, such as digital trade, need to be added to the WTO agenda.