U.S. And EU Again Talk Trade

ByJohn S. McClenahen The European Union's (EU) top foreign policy officials will sweep into Washington tomorrow for their first ministerial-level meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell. Separately Pascal Lamy, the EU's trade commissioner, will be in Washington Wednesday through Friday of this week to talk trade with the Bush Administration. Bananas, beef, and U.S. tax incentives for exporters are sure to be on the agenda. The EU's recently announced plan to eliminate tariffs and quotas on all products -- except for military goods -- from the world's 48 poorest countries is likely to be discussed. EU tariffs and quotas on most of the goods covered by the agreement are to be eliminated today. Lamy may also discuss the EU's continuing review of the pending merger between General Electric Co. and Honeywell International Inc. The so-called full investigation could last until midsummer and will focus on the companies' aircraft-components businesses, such as jet engines and avionics