Both the European Union's lead negotiator in trade talks with the United States and the spokesman for Germany's chancellor on Monday downplayed assertions that negotiations on the proposed landmark pact have collapsed. Asked Monday by The Associated Press whether Gabriel's claims were true, chief EU negotiator Ignacio Garcia Bercero said: "No, no. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said that while Europe and the United States still disagree over certain parts of a free trade deal, the talks aren't over yet. He cautioned, though, that the EU's executive is not willing to sacrifice Europeans' "safety, health, social and data protection standards or our cultural diversity" to reach an agreement with the United States. Barack Obama's term, as well as over Britain's exact status in any deal as London ponders its future ties with the EU.

Source: CBC News August 29, 2016 12:56 UTC