There are two models of regional trade agreement (RTA) that regulate the protection of geographical indications (GIs), one primarily advanced by the EU and the other by the US. Countries negotiating with both sides could be caught in the middle of potentially conflicting demands. This article examines this issue with reference to RTA obligations on the protection of translations and transliterations of GIs. It applies international law interpretive techniques to assess the prospect of agreement conflict. An analysis of the object and purpose of the RTAs, the justifications for protecting intellectual property (IP) and the history of translation and transliteration protection, both internationally and in the EU and US, allows for a harmonious interpretation of the obligations so as to avoid incompatibility. The article concludes by assessing the policy implications of this finding, including the importance of taking advantage of the margin of flexibility inherent in the implementation of RTAs.