The ban will be lifted from Feb. 25, dropping European objections that were based on differing hygiene and husbandry methods in meat production. U.S. farmers regard these concerns as unscientific.

"Effective February 25, these measures will help increase exports of U.S. beef and live swine to European customers," Andrea Mead, spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office, said in an email.

Import tariffs between the European Union and the U.S. are already low. The real benefit would come from increased access to each other's markets, as well as common regulations that would remove the high costs that smaller companies face if they want to export beyond their borders.

Also during the week of Feb. 4, European trade commissioner Karel De Gucht held talks in Washington with top Obama administration officials, reported The Washington Post, and European leaders in Brussels on Friday said they would pursue “without delay” the upcoming recommendations of a U.S.-E.U. trade working group. 

—Compiled from various sources