'China, India thwarted WTO talks'

PARIS: France's agriculture minister says ``big emerging countries'' are to blame for the collapse of World Trade Organization talks on opening up the global economy. Michel Barnier says China, India and Brazil thwarted a ``balanced accord'' at the talks in Geneva by ``blocking imports and wanting to export to us.''

Speaking on RTL radio Wednesday, Barnier said the WTO effort ``isn't finished'' but is threatened by the breakdown in the Doha round of trade talks Tuesday.

Barnier says the European Union ``made big efforts'' at the talks on reducing subsidies to its producers. Farm subsidies have been a big thorn in trade talks in the past and took on added significance amid recent rising food prices worldwide.