WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for talks on a far-reaching free trade agreement with the 27 nations of the European Union, throwing his weight behind a deal that would encompass half the world's economic output.

'Tonight I am announcing that we will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union because trade that is free and fair across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs,' Obama said in the prepared text of his annual State of the Union speech to Congress.

(Reporting by Doug Palmer; Editing by Jim Loney) Keywords: OBAMA SPEECH/TRADE

(doug.palmer@thomsonreuters.com)(202 898 8341)(Reuters Messaging: doug.palmer.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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