The USTR and European Commission have said out a process to cut technical barriers to trade (TBT) that will run through late November. That should maintain momentum after the initial kick-off between President Trump and President Juncker led to a standstill in new duties.

It’s unlikely though that a wider trade deal with complete tariff cuts will be delivered in the mold of TTIP. While the U.S. is applying for TPA deal approval from Congress that will likely only come after the midterms, possibly under a new Congressional makeup. The EC may not get approval from Italy and Franc...