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World trade talks 'failed again' World trade talks end in collapse
(40 minutes later)
Marathon talks in Geneva aimed at liberalising global trade appear to have ended without agreement. Marathon talks in Geneva aimed at liberalising global trade have collapsed, the head of the World Trade Organisation has said.
Trade talks collapsed after China, India and the US failed to agree on import rules, officials said, but there has been no official announcement. Pascal Lamy confirmed the failure, which officials have blamed on China, India and the US failing to agree on import rules.
Earlier, European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson warned a stalemate was an "appalling" prospect. EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said the result was "a burial".
The talks were launched in 2001 in Doha and were seen as providing a cornerstone for future global trade.The talks were launched in 2001 in Doha and were seen as providing a cornerstone for future global trade.
An official statement is expected later after ministers have concluded a meeting. "There's no use beating around the bush, this meeting has collapsed," Mr Lamy said.
"Members have simply not been able to bridge their differences."
An official statement is expected later.
The negotiations had floundered as trade officials gathered for a ninth day.The negotiations had floundered as trade officials gathered for a ninth day.
Repeated failureRepeated failure
The Doha development round of trade talks initially started in 2001 with the aim of remedying inequality so that the developing world could benefit more from freer trade.The Doha development round of trade talks initially started in 2001 with the aim of remedying inequality so that the developing world could benefit more from freer trade.
However, the talks have repeatedly collapsed as developed countries failed to agree with developing nations on terms of access to each others' markets.However, the talks have repeatedly collapsed as developed countries failed to agree with developing nations on terms of access to each others' markets.
The US is looking at enhancing its commercial interests whereas I am looking at protecting the livelihood of farmers Kamal Nath,Indian commerce minister Q&A: Crunch trade talksYour views: Can a deal be reached? The US is looking at enhancing its commercial interests whereas I am looking at protecting the livelihood of farmers Kamal Nath,Indian commerce minister Q&A: Crunch trade talksYour views: Can a deal be reached? The US and the European Union want greater access to provide services to fast-growing emerging countries, including China and India.
The US and the European Union want greater access to provide services to fast-growing emerging countries, including China and India.
Meanwhile, developing countries want greater access for their agricultural products in Europe and the US.Meanwhile, developing countries want greater access for their agricultural products in Europe and the US.
Recent complicationsRecent complications
Analysts have said that the collapse of the Doha talks could symbolise an end to multilateral trade agreements.Analysts have said that the collapse of the Doha talks could symbolise an end to multilateral trade agreements.
Instead, nations may pursue dual agreements with partner nations, preferring to focus on their own requirements rather than a more common negotiating goal.Instead, nations may pursue dual agreements with partner nations, preferring to focus on their own requirements rather than a more common negotiating goal.
The talks in Geneva were complicated by recent increases in the price of food and fuel.The talks in Geneva were complicated by recent increases in the price of food and fuel.
Higher prices have prompted protests in both developed and developing nations, making it harder for negotiators to reach a compromise on opening up their markets to greater competition, analysts said.Higher prices have prompted protests in both developed and developing nations, making it harder for negotiators to reach a compromise on opening up their markets to greater competition, analysts said.
Acrimonious exchangesAcrimonious exchanges
Trade officials struck an optimistic tone on Friday, but this evaporated over the weekend amid acrimonious exchanges with the US accusing India and China of blocking progress.Trade officials struck an optimistic tone on Friday, but this evaporated over the weekend amid acrimonious exchanges with the US accusing India and China of blocking progress.
The US says they are being overly protective towards their own farmers and are failing to do enough to open their markets.The US says they are being overly protective towards their own farmers and are failing to do enough to open their markets.
India's Commerce Minister Kamal Nath rejected the charge, saying: "The US is looking at enhancing its commercial interests whereas I am looking at protecting the livelihood of farmers."India's Commerce Minister Kamal Nath rejected the charge, saying: "The US is looking at enhancing its commercial interests whereas I am looking at protecting the livelihood of farmers."
Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming echoed Mr Nath, saying the US was "asking a price as high as heaven".Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming echoed Mr Nath, saying the US was "asking a price as high as heaven".
The main stumbling block was farm import rules, which allow countries to protect poor farmers by imposing a tariff on certain goods in the event of a drop in prices or a surge in imports.The main stumbling block was farm import rules, which allow countries to protect poor farmers by imposing a tariff on certain goods in the event of a drop in prices or a surge in imports.
India, China and the US could not agree on the tariff threshold for such an event.India, China and the US could not agree on the tariff threshold for such an event.

What is your reaction to the apparent collapse of the trade talks? Where do the negotiators go from here? Send us your comments using the form below.

What is your reaction to the apparent collapse of the trade talks? Where do the negotiators go from here? Send us your comments using the form below.
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