Brazil says rich nations need to improve WTO texts

BRASILIA: Wealthy nations must improve their offers in the latest batch of negotiating texts for the long-running Doha round of trade talks to reach a deal, Brazil said on Thursday.

"The WTO papers will only produce a deal if the rich countries improve their offer, showing leadership and reducing trade barriers," said Roberto Azevedo, Brazil's chief trade negotiator.

Reacting to new texts circulated on Thursday that will serve as the blueprint for a deal at the World Trade Organization, Azevedo also said rich countries need to further reduce overall subsidy levels in agriculture and back off plans to create new import tariffs.

WTO Director General Pascal Lamy has called this month's meeting in the hopes of reaching a breakthrough in agriculture and manufactured goods trade that would lead to a final deal by the end of the year.