Auto Groups Favor U.S.-EU Free Trade Talks

Carmakers on both sides of the Atlantic are telling their governments that they endorse free trade negotiations between the EU and U.S. that are set to begin in June.

They note that a trade deal could help harmonize vehicle safety and emissions standards across the participating countries, thus reducing design, engineering and manufacturing costs for automakers.

Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president for the Americas, tells a Congressional subcommittee that an EU-U.S. pact also would help carmakers in both regions compete more effectively with companies based in China and other Asian countries.

Also lining up in support of the talks are carmaker group ACEA in Brussels, the American Automotive Policy Council and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Washington, D.C.