Countries of the European Union committed to a joint EU-US agreement on technological collaboration on Wednesday, just in time for a critical transatlantic summit.
This move came after France threatened to veto the deal unless it was toned down, said reports quoting EU officials.
At the inaugural meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) on Wednesday, senior US and European Union officials plan to discuss semiconductor shortages, artificial intelligence, and tech competition problems.
The TTC meeting had been called off last week due to French outrage over Australia's decision to cancel a $40 billion submarine contract and instead opt for a deal with the United States and Britain to acquire nuclear-powered boats.
According to EU diplomats, France sought to exclude a reference to the second gathering in spring 2022, when the French presidential election will be held.
According to the diplomats, it also attempted to modify language on a potential semiconductor supply chain cooperation that stated the EU and the US were mutually dependent.
After discussions until late Tuesday, a reference to the second meeting was made, and the semiconductor paragraph was changed to emphasize short-term supply reliance rather than long-term supply dependency.
The amended wording was approved on Wednesday during an EU ministerial conference on the competitiveness of the EU market.
According to diplomats, France's misgivings were connected less to the submarine conflict and more to France's stronger conviction in EU autonomy.
The amended wording was approved on Wednesday during an EU ministerial conference on the competitiveness of the EU market.
According to diplomats, France's misgivings were connected less to the submarine conflict and more to France's stronger conviction in EU autonomy.
In Pittsburgh, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai will meet European Commission vice presidents Valdis Dombrovskis and Margrethe Vestager in a discussion aimed at setting technological standards.
(Source:www.todayonline.com)
This move came after France threatened to veto the deal unless it was toned down, said reports quoting EU officials.
At the inaugural meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) on Wednesday, senior US and European Union officials plan to discuss semiconductor shortages, artificial intelligence, and tech competition problems.
The TTC meeting had been called off last week due to French outrage over Australia's decision to cancel a $40 billion submarine contract and instead opt for a deal with the United States and Britain to acquire nuclear-powered boats.
According to EU diplomats, France sought to exclude a reference to the second gathering in spring 2022, when the French presidential election will be held.
According to the diplomats, it also attempted to modify language on a potential semiconductor supply chain cooperation that stated the EU and the US were mutually dependent.
After discussions until late Tuesday, a reference to the second meeting was made, and the semiconductor paragraph was changed to emphasize short-term supply reliance rather than long-term supply dependency.
The amended wording was approved on Wednesday during an EU ministerial conference on the competitiveness of the EU market.
According to diplomats, France's misgivings were connected less to the submarine conflict and more to France's stronger conviction in EU autonomy.
The amended wording was approved on Wednesday during an EU ministerial conference on the competitiveness of the EU market.
According to diplomats, France's misgivings were connected less to the submarine conflict and more to France's stronger conviction in EU autonomy.
In Pittsburgh, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai will meet European Commission vice presidents Valdis Dombrovskis and Margrethe Vestager in a discussion aimed at setting technological standards.
(Source:www.todayonline.com)
