EU defends methane regulation in U.S. trade talks

A senior EU official confirmed Tuesday that the bloc’s new methane regulation has emerged as a point of discussion in ongoing trade talks with the United States. However, the European Union remains firm in its stance, emphasizing that the regulation will not be revised.

The methane rule, which took effect this year, requires oil and gas importers to monitor and report methane emissions linked to their products. Methane is the second-leading contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide, largely due to leaks in gas infrastructure.

"We stand firmly by this regulation, it is the first of its kind," the official said.

"Basically within the framework of the regulation, we can be flexible in its implementation for instance in reporting. We are not going to open the regulation, we stand by it."

In June, some EU member states had floated the idea of asking Brussels to simplify the law. In response, the European Commission has held technical workshops with gas suppliers to ease the implementation process and ensure the rules do not disrupt energy trade.

Energy-related topics are still under negotiation in a forthcoming EU-U.S. trade joint statement, expected to be finalized soon.

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