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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| World trade deal 'on knife edge' | World trade deal 'on knife edge' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| World trade talks are on a "knife edge" European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has told the Times. | World trade talks are on a "knife edge" European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has told the Times. |
| Despite talks breaking down last year Mr Mandelson said he had not given up hope of agreement on a deal. | Despite talks breaking down last year Mr Mandelson said he had not given up hope of agreement on a deal. |
| Ahead of talks in the US, Mr Mandelson said he would push President Bush to get "personally involved" in efforts to agree a global deal. | Ahead of talks in the US, Mr Mandelson said he would push President Bush to get "personally involved" in efforts to agree a global deal. |
| Disagreement over agriculture caused the Doha talks to be suspended in Geneva last year. | Disagreement over agriculture caused the Doha talks to be suspended in Geneva last year. |
| Brussels blamed US inflexibility, while the US said Europe failed to match its promises in opening up its markets. | Brussels blamed US inflexibility, while the US said Europe failed to match its promises in opening up its markets. |
| "We are on a knife's edge. We have to engage President Bush personally, because this deal can only be done with his authority," Mr Mandelson told the Times. | "We are on a knife's edge. We have to engage President Bush personally, because this deal can only be done with his authority," Mr Mandelson told the Times. |
| Looming deadline | Looming deadline |
| Pressure to reach a deal has been mounting, as US President George W Bush's special "fast-track" authority to negotiate trade deals expires this year. | Pressure to reach a deal has been mounting, as US President George W Bush's special "fast-track" authority to negotiate trade deals expires this year. |
| After 30 June 2007, Trade Promotion Authority will expire, giving the US Congress the right once again to change such agreements. | After 30 June 2007, Trade Promotion Authority will expire, giving the US Congress the right once again to change such agreements. |
| At the talks, Mr Mandelson will push for the President's mandate to be extended and for the US to cut the $20bn it gives to farmers in subsidies - in return Europe is expected to offer further reductions in its trade tariffs. | At the talks, Mr Mandelson will push for the President's mandate to be extended and for the US to cut the $20bn it gives to farmers in subsidies - in return Europe is expected to offer further reductions in its trade tariffs. |
| If the US fails to reach a deal on subsidies and the White House mandate, trade talks risk being suspended for up to five years, Mr Mandelson added. | If the US fails to reach a deal on subsidies and the White House mandate, trade talks risk being suspended for up to five years, Mr Mandelson added. |
| However, he told the Financial Times he was hopeful of making progress when he and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso meet President Bush and US Trade Representative Susan Schwab in Washington. | However, he told the Financial Times he was hopeful of making progress when he and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso meet President Bush and US Trade Representative Susan Schwab in Washington. |
| "After a series of meetings of senior officials, it is clear that the gap between us is no longer such as to dismiss hope of a successful outcome. | "After a series of meetings of senior officials, it is clear that the gap between us is no longer such as to dismiss hope of a successful outcome. |
| "We are not that far apart to give up on the process." | "We are not that far apart to give up on the process." |
| The Washington meeting comes as Southeast Asian leaders gather for the second round of their postponed annual summit. | |
| Trade will be high on the agenda for the leaders of the 16 ASEAN member nations, as well as agreements on energy and counter terrorism measures. |