The European Union is partially suspending free trade negotiations with the U.S. to hold a three month public consultation. EU Trade Chief Karel De Gucht says some in Europe have a genuine concern with the deal’s proposed rules for investment. The consultation period will start in March. But the EU Commission says this suspension won’t derail the overall negotiations that officials hope to conclude by the end of the year. A spokesperson says a high-level meeting in Washington mid-February and a new negotiation round planned for March will go ahead as planned

Only Partial – Overall Talks Continue