|
Posted by Truth About Trade & Technology
|
|
Friday, 05 September 2008 |
Reuters
Original Publish Date: September 4, 2008
The European Union is ready to try to revive the Doha global trade talks if others are, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said, acknowledging that any breakthrough would be difficult.
"We cannot stand still but equally it is difficult to move forward," he told the European Parliament, referring to the international trade talks which collapsed in July.
"We stand ready to reengage at what ever level is useful...But there has to be genuine political commitment by others to participate in a negotiated process," he added.
The seven-year Doha negotiations had often been dogged by differences over the degree to which big developing countries such as China, India, Brazil or South Africa should open up their markets in farm and industrial goods.
July's breakdown came from a stalemate between the United States and India over a proposed safeguard to protect farmers in developing countries from a surge in imports.
US trade chief Susan Schwab has since been quoted as urging officials to resume international trade talks this month to salvage some of the advances made before the collapse.
"I feel as if we have a priceless wafer-thin vase of great craftsmanship in our hands but which now has to be carried from here over a very slippery floor. One false move and the whole thing could crash into many pieces," Mandelson said.
Mandelson noted that, leaving aside the US-India impasse, global support for a framework deal at this stage was fragile.
Some EU trade diplomats question the value of restarting talks so soon after the breakdown, citing upcoming elections in the United States and India as making any deal difficult.
 Add as favourites (18) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 201
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. 1.4.6 |
News 
