No consensus yet on key issues at WTO meeting in Nairobi

NAIROBI: Consensus remains elusive on export subsidies at the WTO ministerial meeting here with India hardening its position over demand for a permanent solution to special safeguard mechanism, public stockholding and others.

A deadlock continues here till late evening on the last day of the four-day meeting with leaders indulging in hectic parleys to find a workable solution.

Sources here said members were yet to arrive at consensus on all important issues even on the last day of the trade ministers' meeting and rumours were rife that talks may get stretched till weekend.

They said rich nations are pushing new issues such as deal on phasing out export subsidies and government procurement, even as differences over key issues of the Doha round like farm subsidies are yet to be iron out.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström in her blog said, "What a week. The air is perpetually full of rumour and speculation about what is possible to achieve here at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. It's quite improbable that we will finish this conference today, as planned. Many of us have rebooked our flights for the weekend instead".

The Indian team led by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is holding hectic parleys on all the key issues. Yesterday WTO members were engaged in negotiations to iron out differences till late night, sources said.

Backed by several developing countries, India is pitching for finding permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes, special safeguard mechanism (SSM) tool to protect farmers from sudden surge in imports or dip in global prices; and conclusion of the pending agenda of the Doha Round.

On the other hand, developed nations like the US and EU are pushing for new issues like government procurement.

Public food stockholding is crucial for India's food security programme. India wants permanent solution to the issues related to it.

Amid the continuing deadlock, the blame game has now shifted to social media with topics like #IndiaStandsBehindFarmers trending in response to #IndiaBlocksTrade possibly from developed countries.