Missed WTO Deadline

April 29, 2006

Global Services Coalition Expresses Frustration Over Missed WTO Deadline; Rejects Lowering of Ambition in Doha Round

The Global Services Coalition today expressed its disappointment and growing frustration over the latest missed deadline in the World Trade Organization Doha Round of global trade talks. WTO members were to have agreed by April 30, 2006 on the modalities for agriculture and goods trade liberalization, which are seen as pivotal in moving the broader Round forward.

“Once again, progress in services – which represent the greatest share of economic output in both developed and developing countries – is being prevented by WTO members’ lack of political will to reach agreement in agriculture and goods.” the Coalition said.

However, the Coalition firmly rejected the notion of a slimmed-down Round (a “Doha lite”), indicating that it would not support a Round that did not have a substantial outcome on services. The Coalition reiterated its long-standing position that WTO members must be ambitious, and that the Round must yield new, commercially significant, liberalization.

“The time for finger-pointing has passed. WTO members know what needs to be done to advance the Round; they must now demonstrate the political will to do so, or the entire undertaking will fail. In that scenario, everyone loses – developed and developing countries alike, in all corners of the globe.”

“We are on the verge of squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity.” the Coalition said. “Not only could we lose what is already on the table, but we will set back for years any hope of multilateral progress in agricultural reform, tariff reduction and services liberalization. That is the ultimate lose-lose scenario.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media