Archive - Mar 21, 2005

Latest news from the Carribean Regional Negotiating Machinery.

Santos said the Philippines' reliance on trade with the US has gone down because of growing trade with Japan, Greater China and Asean.

Several developed countries have intensified their advocacy in the World Trade Organisation for a simple Swiss or non-linear formula that would result in steep tariff reductions in imports of industrial goods in developing countries.

It asked for substantial reductions in trade distorting domestic support by developed countries as well as further disciplines in the Blue Box and the Green Box in order to avoid mere “box shifting' in domestic subsidies.

The Declaration of the G-20 Ministers called for the elimination of all export subsidies in agriculture within five years.

Wisdom prevailed to accommodate the interests of various diverse group in preparation for the battle. The G-20 responded well to the sensitivities of the LDCs and other groups.

The World Trade Organization suspended a formal meeting on agriculture negotiations here late last week after countries failed to agree on a system of calculations for comparison of tariffs.

Colombia and the United States Proposed 'Sectoral Initiatives'under which countries would eliminate almost all tariffs and subsidies for certain products.

The G-20 summit could strengthen the cord of unity.

The Declaration of the G-20 Ministers called for the elimination of all export subsidies in agriculture within five years.