Mothballing the Doha Round: A Sad Day

After nine days of negotiations, some 30 or 35 nations have failed to reach an agreement on the Doha Round of trade talks. The talks which were started in 2001 have a very ambitious agenda of liberalization of trade regimes and reduction of trade barriers. The talks have ground to a halt on previous occasions and this session has been seen be some as the last, best chance. While some observers suggest that only a wide ranging agreement is likely to succeed providing the trade-offs that will satisfice all participants with an accord; others suggest that several small agreements may still be possible if the talks have finally failed for good.

According to Business Standard:

The failure by trade ministers from 30 countries to seal a deal on the world trade talks does not mean the end of the Doha Round of negotiations, which has been going on for more than seven years, World Trade Organisation director general Pascal Lamy said today.

According to the Washington Post:

High-level delegations from the United States and the European Union showed fresh willingness at the World Trade Organization talks to make concessions that would have gradually curbed the subsidies and tariffs they have long employed to protect First World farmers. But India and China dug in their heels, insisting on the right to keep protecting their farmers while accusing the United States and other rich countries of exaggerating the generosity of their concessions.

Comment: If a negotiation fails that might have benefited the whole world and helped reduce the hunger of billions, a hunger especially acute in the current crisis, then there must be blame enough for all involved. On the other hand, the negotiations have been entirely on the watch of the Bush administration which has been accused of intransigence, especially over the early years. As an American, I hold our government responsible, and I hope that the citizens of other countries similarly hold their leaders responsible. JAD