As World Trade Org talks to negotiate global agreement collapse amid farm...

[yabbadabba3]

...stand-off, can anyone explain why? By William Schomberg and Robin Pomeroy Reuters -
36 minutes ago GENEVA

Marathon talks on a new wave of trade liberalisation collapsed on Tuesday after nine days of intense but ultimately fruitless negotiations.

"We were so close to getting this done," U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab told reporters at World Trade Organisation headquarters after countries failed to compromise over measure to protect farmers in poor countries.

"The U.S. remains committed to the Doha round. This is not a time to talk about a round collapsing," said Schwab, who looked frustrated and distressed. "The U.S. commitments remain on the table, awaiting reciprocal responses."

As failure looked likely, New Zealand's trade minister, Phil Goff, held out hope for Doha talks continuing at a later date. "I hope ... that what we've achieved this week can be used at least to build on as a foundation for the future," he said.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news 'Have your say'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7531099.stm
E-mail this to a friend Printable version

World trade talks reportedly fail

An official announcement is expected later
Marathon talks in Geneva aimed at liberalising global trade are reported to have ended without agreement.

The trade talks collapsed after China, India and the US failed to agree on import rules, trade officials told news agencies Reuters and AP.

Earlier, European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson warned a stalemate was an "appalling" prospect.

The talks were launched in 2001 in Doha and were seen as providing a cornerstone for future global trade.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2804227.stm
E-mail this to a friend Printable version

What do you want to talk about?


Are there topics you want to get the world to talk about? What do you want to comment on or find out what others think about?

Have Your Say wants to find out what interests you. Send us your ideas for new topics and you can set the agenda for a global conversation.

Any farmers, sheltering from these wild storms, may welcome this chance to enlighten us townies @ particular problems of farmers in India & China, as the expressed need to protect them from cheap farm imports was the sticking point?

I can't see how USA etc farmers can produce food cheaper than China & India

Is it down to Govrt subsidies?