Trade talks between the United States and Europe may be stalled over allegations of spying in European Union countries by the U.S.
The two week delay was announced by France, which said the free-trade negotiations would have to wait until tensions had calmed following a report that Washington has spied on the 28-nation entity.
“It’s not a question of halting the talks,” said French government spokesperson Najat Vallaud-Belkacem.
“On the other hand, it would seem wise to us that the talks be suspended for a couple of weeks to avoid any controversy, and have the time to obtain the information we’ve asked for.”
Germany is advocating that the talks, which were slated to begin on Monday in Washington D.C., move ahead as scheduled.
Speaking at a news briefing on Wednesday, German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said, “The talks are in the hands of the European Commission, which wants to start them on July 8. Germany supports them in this.
“We want a free-trade agreement, and we will start the negotiations. Europe will find a way to discuss the themes which are important to us,” he said.