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Zoellick wants WTO deal by 2005
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick has urged countries to use next week's World Trade Organization meeting to forge a new world trade deal by January 2005. But Zoellick said Washington would pursue bilateral or regional agreements if the talks failed. Zoellick told Washington trade lobbyists that the United States was willing to make significant cuts in agricultural subsidies and tariffs at the heart of the trade talks in Cancun, Mexico, but only if other countries made similar reductions. "We're not just pushing for any deal. We're in this for an ambitious result," Zoellick said in a speech. Heads of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development echoed Zoellick's call in a joint statement. Rich countries must take the lead in agriculture and other areas that have blocked the talks, but middle income and low-income countries must do their part as well, they said. Heading into next week's meeting, Zoellick said it was unclear whether countries were willing to make the tough decisions needed to conclude a successful trade round. He said the United States would focus on new bilateral and regional free trade agreements if the WTO talks falter. "We're not stopping. We're moving with the countries that are willing to go," Zoellick said. Since launching the current round of world trade talks in Doha, Qatar in November 2001, the 146 WTO members have missed virtually every deadline they set for themselves ahead of the September 10-14 ministerial meeting in Cancun. The countries managed a breakthrough last week by agreeing on a mechanism to ensure poor countries have access to cheap versions of life-saving drugs without violating WTO rules. For Cancun to be a success, Zoellick said countries must agree on a broad framework for reducing agriculture export subsidies, domestic farm payments and tariffs. They also should set a target, such as early 2004, for agreeing on specific cuts since that won't be decided in Cancun, he said. Countries also must agree on a framework for reducing tariffs on manufactured goods, provide direction for services trade talks and decide whether to formally launch talks in four other areas -- government procurement, investment, competition policy and customs facilitation, he said. Additionally, WTO members must agree on how to accommodate the special needs of developing countries without undermining the overall effort to open new markets in agriculture, manufactured goods and services, he said.
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