India, Brazil ask US for trade roadmap
India and Brazil have called upon the US to clarify when the fast-track authority of the US negotiators would be extended by the Congress as this was essential for the conclusion of the Doha round of negotiations at WTO.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Developing countries including India and Brazil have called upon the US to clarify when the fast-track authority of the US negotiators would be extended by the Congress as this was essential for the conclusion of the Doha round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Following the meeting of developing countries in Geneva on Thursday which included not just members of the agriculture groupings G-20 and G-33, but also a large number of African countries, India’s commerce & industry minister Kaman Nath pointed out that uncertainty about the way ahead in the negotiations centred around the trade promotion authority (PTA) of the US negotiators which expired in July this year.
It will be very difficult for the US to give its consent to an agreement in the absence of the PTA as the government would have to seek the nod of the Congress for it, which would be an extremely uncertain and laborious process.
Two members are attempting to reach an agreement on the modalities for carrying out the negotiations on liberalising trade in agricultural and industrial goods by early next year. Strong differences, however, remain between developing and developed countries in all important areas such as reduction commitments in tariffs and subsidies and selection and treatment of special and sensitive products to be shielded from formula tariff cuts.
In the Geneva meet, the developing countries reiterated their commitment to stay united and together fight for a fair deal.
Following the meeting of developing countries in Geneva on Thursday which included not just members of the agriculture groupings G-20 and G-33, but also a large number of African countries, India’s commerce & industry minister Kaman Nath pointed out that uncertainty about the way ahead in the negotiations centred around the trade promotion authority (PTA) of the US negotiators which expired in July this year.
It will be very difficult for the US to give its consent to an agreement in the absence of the PTA as the government would have to seek the nod of the Congress for it, which would be an extremely uncertain and laborious process.
Two members are attempting to reach an agreement on the modalities for carrying out the negotiations on liberalising trade in agricultural and industrial goods by early next year. Strong differences, however, remain between developing and developed countries in all important areas such as reduction commitments in tariffs and subsidies and selection and treatment of special and sensitive products to be shielded from formula tariff cuts.
In the Geneva meet, the developing countries reiterated their commitment to stay united and together fight for a fair deal.
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