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About 100 professional economists have called on rich countries to kick-start the stalled world trade talks by opening up their food markets.

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.

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

Developing-country coalitions yesterday reiterated their view that the resumption of the suspended Doha Development Agenda negotiations can only recommence when industrialized countries spell out in specifics what they are prepared to do in trade-distorting domestic support and the market access pillars of the farm trade talks

The European Union is planning a broad shift in its trade policy that will no longer focus chiefly on foreign tariffs that drive up the price of EU products, but also seek to remove more subtle obstacles that block European businesses from getting a foothold overseas, particularly in China.

The EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will today announce a damaging new corporate-driven trade strategy, warn European activist groups and civil society organisations united in the Seattle to Brussels Network (S2B).

Friends of the Earth's new report on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

US Trade Representative Susan Schwab yesterday all but ruled out the possibility that the United States will put a major new offer on the table to get the stalled World Trade Organization Doha Development Agenda trade round back on track, but expressed confidence the talks will eventually be revived.