Trade deal must safeguard consumers, says Obama
Barack Obama has been speaking this afternoon about the prospective trade deal between the US and EU, which would make it easier for the US to export gas to Europe.
Having met with EU leaders in Brussels, the US president’s been addressing a news conference, trying to quell concerns he may support a transatlantic trade deal that could weaken protection for consumers or the environment.
The President assured listeners that he’s “fought [his] entire political career and as president to strengthen consumer protections”, adding that he has “no intention” of putting his signature to legislation that’d lessen those protections.
He said the same of environmental protection in the US: “I have no interest in signing a trade agreement that weakens environmental standards”.
Obama said the US and Europe need to come together to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas. Officials from both sides are working together to "accelerate the process of diversification" when it comes to energy reliance, he stressed.