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Zoellick spells out Doha plan
HONOLULU (DTN)--U.S. Trade Representative Bob Zoellick told other trade ministers in a letter Jan. 12 he is willing to "eliminate" the subsidy portion of U.S. agricultural credit guarantee programs as part of an effort to restart the Doha Round trade talks in 2004.
DTN obtained a copy of the letter, which emphasized the importance of eliminating the export subsidies used by the European Union, but also offered to eliminate the subsidy in U.S. programs used to export some key commodities. Zoellick said he wanted "disciplines" on state trading enterprises such as the Canadian Wheat Board and the Australian Wheat Board, but did not use the word "elimination" in reference to them.
Zoellick also said special and differential treatment should not apply to major agricultural exporting countries.
"I believe that we will not be able to solve the puzzle of the (Doha Development Agenda or DDA) unless we have an agreement to eliminate export subsidies by a date certain. Export subsidies distort trade more than any other measure. The final elimination of these subsidies would underscore our common commitment, especially for developing economies. So we need to set an end date. I prefer an early date, but recognize that may not be realistic for some, given the sensitivity of the topic. I also am committed to eliminating the subsidy component of export credit programs; we also need meaningful disciplines on the special privileges of state trading enterprises," he wrote.
After the failure of the World Trade Organization meeting of ministers in Cancun in September, many trade analysts have said they do not expect any movement on the trade front in 2004. However, Zoellick said in an interview with the London newspaper the Financial Times and in the letter, "I am seeking to explore every avenue to make 2004 not a lost year, but a year of accomplishment for the Doha Agenda and the WTO."
Zoellick suggested the ministers appoint a new general chairman of the negotiations from a developing country (rather than a developed country) and move the next meeting of trade ministers scheduled for 2005 in Hong Kong to 2004. The meeting would presumably take place after the U.S. presidential election.
Date: 1/29/04
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