On Friday 27th June, the Washington European Society organized a breakfast debate about the ongoing trade negotiations between the US and the European Union. We were joined by Hiddo Houben, the Head of the Trade and Agriculture Section at the EU Delegation in Washington, DC. The conversation touched upon the latest developments within the negotiation cycle and the technical, as well as political challenges that the negotiators face. Not surprisingly, the issues raised as contentious by participants were the so-called Investor-state Dispute Settlement mechanism, the barriers to agriculture and financial services. Mr Houben addressed these and others skillfully, as the plates and the coffee cups were being emptied. If you want to join us next time for one of our policy debates, or other events, make sure you put yourself on the mailing list and keep track of the events posted on our website.