U.S., EU consider trade talks to foster growth

(Reuters) - The United States and the European Union took a step on Monday toward launching bilateral trade talks to help create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic by capitalizing on already strong economic ties.

"We must intensify our efforts to realize the untapped potential of transatlantic economic co-operation to generate new opportunities for jobs and growth," the two sides said in a joint statement after a White House meeting between President Barack Obama, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy.