WTO Chief: Members must give ground

Lamy calls for more movement on cutting tariffs, subsidies

GENEVA (AP)--All members of the World Trade Organization understand that they have to give more ground on cutting tariffs and subsidies, the head of the commerce body said Feb. 7.

Speaking to negotiators in Geneva, WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said there was a "widespread commitment" to advancing the Doha round of trade liberalization talks according to a framework agreed on late last year in Hong Kong.

"If you are to reach agreement on schedule, it is essential for you to intensify your contacts with other delegations and with your capitals, to move us towards the elements we will need to conclude this round by the end of the year," Lamy said.

Negotiations to reach a treaty that would cut global trade barriers in a wide array of sectors have reached an impasse over agriculture--an issue that has dogged the Doha round since it started in Qatar's capital in 2001.

Many negotiators--particularly from Brazil--blame the stalemate on the European Union's refusal to further cut its farm import tariffs. But developing nations also criticize the United States and Japan for their trade barriers, saying that access to wealthy nations' agricultural markets is vital to their economic growth.

Lamy told reporters Feb. 7 that all major participants at the WTO needed to give more ground. The EU must offer deeper cuts in on farm import tariffs, the United States needs to lower its domestic farm subsidies and major developing countries like Brazil and India must lower trade barriers to imports of industrial goods, he said.

"All members are ready to move across the board on the whole of the agenda," Lamy said. "I think each and every member of the organization is on board."

Date: 2/21/06