EU lawmakers come up in support of trade negotiations with US

EU lawmakers voted on Tuesday narrowly in favour of the European Union starting negotiations with the United States on a deal to lower tariffs on industrial goods. The European Parliament's international trade committee voted by 21 to 17 on a resolution encouraging the 28 EU countries to back negotiating mandates put forward by the European Commission.

The resolution, which will go to a vote by the full chamber in March, is not binding but has a bearing on possible talks with the United States, given that the parliament would have to approve any deal agreed.