Transatlantic trade talks should be halted: French trade minister

[PARIS] The current round of Transatlantic trade talks should be brought to a halt and a new set started, French Trade Minister Matthias Fekl said on Tuesday, adding he will suggest that to fellow ministers at the end of September.

German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Sunday that negotiations over the WTO's Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) had effectively failed after Europe refused to accept some US demands.

"At the end of the month of September, when trade ministers meet in Bratislava ...I will ask in France's name for the end of negotiations on TTIP," he said on RMC Radio.

"...There should be an absolute clear end so that we can restart them on good basis."

REUTERS