Global Trade Talks 'Could Resume By March'

FINANCIAL TIMES

Published: January 22 2004 4:00 | Last Updated: January 22 2004 4:00

Pascal Lamy, the European Union trade commissioner, said yesterday that the stage could be set for resumption of talks on the Doha trade round as early as March or April, as a result of growing 'global consensus' on the need for swift new negotiations.

This week Mr Lamy picked up endorsements to restart global trade talks from both the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) and India, which leads an important bloc of developing countries.

The endorsements come amid new enthusiasm after a surprise push by Robert Zoellick, US trade representative, to resume negotiations despite US presidential elections, which many saw as a barrier.

Mr Lamy said yesterday the endorsements were a sign of broader global sentiment four months after the collapse of the World Trade Organisation's meeting in Canc