Archive - Oct 6, 2006

Though the General Council of the WTO did not take a formal decision on the talks, there is a de facto suspension. But the GATT/WTO system has given surprises in the past and it is more than likely that the negotiations may start once again in full steam soon. The developing countries will be well advised not to be complacent with the suspension but to be prepared for an early resumption. The following article gives reasons for this anticipation and also gives some suggestions what the developing countries should do.

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab this week said the U.S. would not offer another unilateral proposal in the WTO to reduce its domestic agricultural support, as requested by other members.

Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab this week told members of the services industry that they are leaving too much of the lobbying for approval of trade agreements to agriculture groups, which are taking on that effort to an extent that is disproportionate to the importance of agriculture for the U.S. economy.