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World trade talks set to restart World trade talks set to restart
(40 minutes later)
Trade ministers from some 30 countries have agreed that full-scale global trade talks should resume quickly.Trade ministers from some 30 countries have agreed that full-scale global trade talks should resume quickly.
However the ministers' statement was short on specifics and its wording revealed that they have not really moved much closer to reaching a deal. However the ministers' statement was short on specifics and its wording revealed that they had not really moved much closer to reaching a deal.
Politicians from both developed and developing countries had said it would be "catastrophic" if the talks failed.Politicians from both developed and developing countries had said it would be "catastrophic" if the talks failed.
Meeting at the World Economic Forum a year ago, ministers had agreed a more ambitious deal that came to nothing. At the World Economic Forum a year ago, ministers agreed a more ambitious deal that came to nothing.
The talks in Davos, Switzerland, had been seen as one of the last chances to make a decisive move towards reviving negotiations on liberalising global trade, before the fast-track authority of US President George Bush runs out in July. The talks in Davos, Switzerland, have been seen as one of the last chances to make a decisive move towards reviving negotiations on liberalising global trade, before the fast-track authority of US President George Bush runs out in July.
After that deadline, US Congress could block key parts of any deal, which would scupper any treaty.After that deadline, US Congress could block key parts of any deal, which would scupper any treaty.
EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson said "the alternative to what's on the table is not the perfect deal, but no deal at all." The director general of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, said that the US government might try to get an extension of this fast-track authority.
This would give trade talks a "window of opportunity", he said, adding: "It's a question of months rather than quarters."
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said "the alternative to what's on the table is not the perfect deal, but no deal at all".
Mr Lamy said ministers would try a fresh "landing approach" to reach a deal "as soon as we can as time is running out".
He added the talks on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum had proved that "you can defreeze even in Davos".
'Agricultural sensitivities'
Once again agriculture appears to have been the sticking point in the negotiations.Once again agriculture appears to have been the sticking point in the negotiations.
Mr Mandelson said any deal needed to strike "a balance between the need to advance decisively on farm trade liberalisation and the need to respect the reasonable agricultural sensitivities of the less competitive and those with large subsistence farm sectors." Mr Mandelson said any deal needed to strike "a balance between the need to advance decisively on farm trade liberalisation and the need to respect the reasonable agricultural sensitivities of the less competitive and those with large subsistence farm sectors".
The negotiations were suspended last July amid sharp differences over farm subsidies and import tariffs.The negotiations were suspended last July amid sharp differences over farm subsidies and import tariffs.
Campaign groups, however, were quick to criticise the outcome of the talks in Davos.
"However the new talks are framed, poor countries will still be asked to throw open their economies in return for peanuts from the trade superpowers," said Aftab Alam Khan of Actionaid.
Failure would be 'catastrophic'
On Friday, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had told the World Economic Forum that rich nations should show flexibility to help conclude a vital agreement.On Friday, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had told the World Economic Forum that rich nations should show flexibility to help conclude a vital agreement.
"We have never been so close to doing a deal like this," he told the gathering of political and business leaders.. "We have never been so close to doing a deal like this," he told the gathering of political and business leaders.
Lula said Brazil was ready to make concession if Europe and the US were also prepared to move.Lula said Brazil was ready to make concession if Europe and the US were also prepared to move.
If it succeeds, great. If it fails, it will be catastrophic Tony Blair UK Prime MinisterIf it succeeds, great. If it fails, it will be catastrophic Tony Blair UK Prime Minister
A trade agreement could help ease poverty in many countries and inject billions of dollars into the global economy, he said.A trade agreement could help ease poverty in many countries and inject billions of dollars into the global economy, he said.
South African Trade Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa had told Reuters his country was very concerned at the prospect of failure.South African Trade Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa had told Reuters his country was very concerned at the prospect of failure.
"We never had a round with so much on the table and the likelihood of losing it all is quite big," he said."We never had a round with so much on the table and the likelihood of losing it all is quite big," he said.
However, British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed optimism that the World Trade Organization's (WTO) talks, known as the Doha Round, could resume, amid signs that everyone was prepared to make concessions.However, British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed optimism that the World Trade Organization's (WTO) talks, known as the Doha Round, could resume, amid signs that everyone was prepared to make concessions.
"If it succeeds, great. If it fails, it will be catastrophic," Mr Blair said."If it succeeds, great. If it fails, it will be catastrophic," Mr Blair said.
Business groups have also been stepping up calls for governments to reach a deal.Business groups have also been stepping up calls for governments to reach a deal.
WTO Director General Pascal Lamy is pushing for progress by July The Doha Development Agenda was launched in 2001, but has repeatedly stalled.WTO Director General Pascal Lamy is pushing for progress by July The Doha Development Agenda was launched in 2001, but has repeatedly stalled.
The 150 members of the WTO have agreed that the current trade round should be designed to help developing countries, while opening up new markets for industrialised nations.The 150 members of the WTO have agreed that the current trade round should be designed to help developing countries, while opening up new markets for industrialised nations.
The US and EU want developing countries like Brazil and India to open their economies to industrial goods and services.The US and EU want developing countries like Brazil and India to open their economies to industrial goods and services.
Developing nations argue that the US and the European Union must cut agricultural subsidies and tariffs if progress is to be made.Developing nations argue that the US and the European Union must cut agricultural subsidies and tariffs if progress is to be made.