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APEC Ministers push for better multilateral trading system
APEC Trade Ministers push for stronger multilateral trading system
Issued by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade
Big Sky, Montana, 19 May 2011 - Committed to increasing trade and opening markets in the Asia-Pacific, trade ministers explored productive steps APEC can take to sustain the overall strength of the multilateral trading system and address the path forward.
To support economic growth and job creation in the region, APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade met here today to focus on strengthening regional economic integration, promoting green growth, and advancing regulatory convergence and cooperation - the three priorities for APEC which is hosted by the United States this year.
Video US Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron
Kirk "Whether they are manufacturers, ranchers,
or farmers, many benefit from the outcomes APEC generates
and it is vital that we keep that in mind today and tomorrow
to ensure that we provide the necessary direction to APEC
officials so by November when APEC Leaders meet, we have a
set of strong outcomes that will move us towards the goal of
a seamless regional economy," said Ambassador Kirk who
chaired the meeting.
The Doha Round was a topic of
discussion. Ministers acknowledged the challenges facing the
current round of world trade negotiations. "In my view,
without abandoning our commitment to the success of the
Round, we need to begin a hard-nosed discussion of what can
be done. We need to explore what 'next steps' we can take
to find a more productive path - and, if we find that path,
to take it as quickly as possible," Ambassador Kirk
explained. "Wherever we go next, I think it's critical to
emphasize one point - the WTO is strong, as it has shown
itself to be in the past three years. We have confidence in
it." World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy
also briefed Ministers this morning on the status of the
Doha Round and discussed possible next steps. "I will be
holding a Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) meeting on 31
May to take stock of my consultations and chart a path
forward," said Lamy. "There is little time available and
this is why I believe we should use the TNC on 31 May to
move the discussions from process into substance." "The
signals from this meeting and from the upcoming Ministerial
meeting hosted by Australia in the margins of the OECD are
key inputs into that process," he concluded. APEC Trade
Ministers are expected to release a statement at the end of
their meeting on May 20, followed by a press conference.
They will also meet jointly with Small and Medium Enterprise
Ministers in the afternoon. SME Ministers will convene on
May 21 to address barriers and challenges that are facing
companies from throughout the region take advantage of
global trade. Separately, APEC Senior Officials from
APEC's 21 member economies have concluded their meeting on
the issues and work to be undertaken to address the three
priorities for this year Details about APEC meetings,
events, projects and publications can be found at www.apec.org
ENDS
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