Archive - 2005 - Article

The US proposals on agriculture unveiled on Monday 10 October in Zurich by US Trade Representative Robert Portman has come under criticism from several developing countries and NGOs for not doing enough to cut its domestic support

In the negotiations of the past week starting 10 October, the EU has made clear its demand that developing countries have to pay a heavy price in widely opening up its markets in industrial products and services, in exchange for the concessions the EU is proposing in agriculture.

WTO chief Pascal Lamy warned that further compromise was needed to reach an overall accord on global commerce, as a potential EU internal row threatened to complicate talks just two months ahead of a crucial ministerial meeting in Hong Kong.

Director-General Pascal Lamy said that the trade talks have gained 'a new momentum' with the agriculture proposal by the United States.

Link to G20 proposal

Ahead of what is being described as the 'last chance' meeting next week of the 'Five Interested Parties' the United States, the European Union, India, Brazil and Australia Indian trade minister Kamal Nath raised the stakes for a possible confrontation with the United States, charging that Washington has not substantially reduced its trade-distorting domestic subsidies in real terms in its latest proposal

In a dramatic departure from prevailing thought about international food aid programs, The Oakland Institute's new report, Food Aid or Food Sovereignty?, Ending World Hunger in Our Time, recommends food sovereignty as the policy tool to achieve food self-sufficiency

The French government has contacted Britain to express its 'concern' at the European Commission's negotiating style at world trade talks underway

Title

Upset over persistent American tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, Canadian leaders are warning the Bush administration that it is risking secure access to Canadian oil supplies.