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China is willing to help restart WTO talks but wants to see developed countries make "substantial contributions" first, a state news agency on Tuesday quoted China's commerce minister as telling a top American envoy.

The recently-signed trade and investment framework agreement (TIFA) between the US and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will sooner or later lead to a free trade agreement (FTA), and this will prove disastrous to the vulnerable sectors of the region, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation.

The US trade chief warned Friday that WTO talks to liberalise global trade would be suspended for several years if there was no breakthrough over the next six to eight months.

The US is set to conclude an agreement with Southeast Asia this week that is expected to boost free trade and help Americans benefit from a larger East Asian tariff-busting program.

The third round of talks over the Korea-U.S. FTA will be held in Seattle in the United States -a famous battleground of the WTO protests in 1999-from 6th to 9th September.

"Regardless of fierce nation-wide protests, I will dedicate my remaining time in office to realizing the FTA." These words encapsulate the attitude that has seen South Korean President Roh Mu-Hyun and his government become increasingly defensive and isolated in power.

US Trade Representative Susan Schwab will start her first visit to China on Sunday, during which she will hold high-level discussions on efforts to restart the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha Round.

The U.S. government

South Korea and the United States will start two-day working-level talks in Singapore Monday focusing mainly on procedural matters regarding Korea

Here's the new U.S. strategy for reviving global trade talks: threaten to cut off sweetheart trade deals with big developing nations like India and Brazil to make them more willing to compromise.