EU and US trade representatives came together earlier this week to set the agenda for negotiating a resolution to a long running dispute over the US' online gambling laws.
The aim of the high powered get together that took place Monday, was not to start negotiating an outcome, but rather to set out a road map for a resolution process to take place over the coming months.
As noted by EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, "Today was not a day to resolve any problems, but rather to set out the approach we are going to take, who would do what, and to agree to keep in touch...we think are ripe to be looked at again to see if we can find a creative solution."
At issue were four areas of concern, including trade in rice, music, industrial chemicals and online gambling services between the two super economies. The EU has for some time now bemoaned the US government's prohibitive approach to online gambling, arguing their laws to be protectionist in nature and a breach of international free trade obligations.
In March this year, the European Commission formalized their concern over US online gambling laws in a report and letter to US trade officials that preempted the possibility of bringing an action before the WTO. Until now the US has remained silent on the issue, but is apparently now ready to come to the table.
US Trade Representative Ron Kirk will be the US' point man in discussions that are set to take place over the coming months, and which will run concurrently with the very relevant passage of Barney Frank's new online gambling laws through congress.
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