EU Signals Little Movement on Farm Trade
European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson says U.S. hasn't gone as far as it should on domestic support and farm subsidies.
Compiled by staff
Published: Dec 1, 2005
European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson met with representatives from the G90 group of developing countries Wednesday, sending the message that the EU wasn't prepared to accept "extravagant demands" from trading partners.
EU says World Trade Organization talks now must move into important negotiations on trade in industrial goods and services before the EU will renegotiate its agricultural proposal. Mandelson warned other countries that added obstacles would risk "everything, including what is on the table already," the Wall Street Journal reports.
Mandelson says Europe occupies a "middle ground on tariff reduction." The commissioner also says he doesn't believe the United States' offer on domestic support and farm subsidies goes far enough. He also told the European Parliament's agriculture committee that the U.S. proposal on food aid and export credits didn't meet commitments made in the July 2004 framework.
Time is ticking before the Dec. 13-18 Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong. The negotiating struggle continues between developed countries. The European Union remains steadfast in offering deep cuts in agriculture without getting commitments in industrial goods and services first.
The United States is fighting for increased market access in exchange for deep cuts to domestic subsidies. The European Union however says it is unrealistic for developed countries to expect total free trade for farm products.
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