Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Trade

18 July 2007

Media Statement

Goff Welcomes new WTO Proposals on Agriculture and Industrial Goods

The release, overnight, of new negotiating texts by the Chairs of the WTO's agricultural and industrial goods negotiating groups in Geneva represent a necessary and welcome next step in the Doha negotiations, Trade Minister Phil Goff said today.

"The Chairs have set out the foundations for the final stage of the negotiations. All countries know now what is on offer in these negotiations, and what we risk if we fail to conclude the Round.

"Reactions to these papers will tell us whether there is a real chance of a WTO deal this year. It is important that people respond constructively. By definition, the texts cannot fully reflect any member's position. Everyone will have to be prepared to compromise," Mr Goff said.

"These texts represent the results of six years of negotiations - the best assessments by the Agriculture and NAMA Chairs, as "independent third parties" as to where the compromises lie.

"It shows that the differences are narrow - though the gaps remaining are still significant.

"New Zealand is seeking an ambitious and balanced outcome. A deal will be viable only if it delivers genuine new market access. The test will be whether we can get agreement on tariff and subsidy cuts that promise real new trade flows," Mr Goff said.

“I don’t, at this point, expect definitive reactions from countries on the content. These papers are complex and technical. People will need a few days to analyse them.

“My sense from my recent contacts with other trade ministers is that they will react very carefully," Mr Goff said.

“Everyone knows that there will have to be full buy-in to the chairs’ process if we are to get the breakthroughs we need.

“We will need to go through the detail, look at the papers as a package and talk with New Zealand stakeholders before we can reach conclusions on their overall impact.

“Negotiators will be in Geneva for the week of 23 July. That will be an opportunity to deliver initial reactions to the Chairs’ proposals.

“Serious negotiations are expected to resume at the beginning of September," Mr Goff said.

ENDS

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