Bridging Some US-EU Differences
But there was no joint statement and few specifics.
USTR Portman told a press conference that the Group-of-20 agriculture proposal offers a good 'framework' for the farm talks * particularly in market access. But some changes will be required, the USTR stated, adding that a US agriculture negotiations delegation will leave for Geneva today. Both officials will meet again in Paris next week * prior to a Quad meeting, also involving Brazil and India.
The USTR told reporters that all sides have agreed to an end of export subsidies; the two discussed the timing. They had a 'very frank' discussion on domestic supports, where Mr. Portman said difficulty exists because the current US farm law does not run out until 2007 * after the anticipated end of the Doha negotiations.
Mr. Mandelson said Brussels, too, is committed to the G-20 proposal * emphasizing several times the need for strong new market access commitments.
The negotiations cannot go forward without a 'common' platform between the United States and the EU * but neither is it sufficient for success. Mr. Portman pledged to bring in other nations during early stages of the further negotiations. Lack of outreach to all players, he noted, brought on the collapse of the 2003 trade ministerial in Cancun.
Apart from agriculture, the EU's Mandelson said progress in needed in nonagricultural market access and the crucial services negotiations.
Both trade ministers cited remarks by President Bush at the United Nations yesterday that recommitted the United States to an ambitious outcome of the Doha negotiations and called for more liberal market treatment with and among developing countries.
Mr. Mandelson said he expected European Commission President Jos