EU spying backlash threatens billions in US trade


October 30, 2013 at 3:39p.m.

EU spying backlash threatens billions in US trade

BRUSSELS (AP) — The backlash in Europe over U.S. spying is threatening an agreement that generates tens of billions of dollars in trans-Atlantic business every year – and negotiations on another pact worth many times more. A growing number of European officials are calling for the suspension of the “Safe Harbor” agreement that lets U.S. companies process commercial and personal data – sales, emails, photos – from customers in Europe. This little-known but vital deal allows more than 4,200 American companies to do business in Europe, including Internet giants like Apple, Google, Facebook and Amazon.