Breaking The Deadlock At Doha |
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December 17, 2009
The World Trade Organization's latest confab on the Doha Round didn't produce a deal, and public statements in the wake of the meeting suggested that any agreement may be a long way off. But behind closed doors, there is some cause for optimism—if political leaders among the 153 member countries, especially those in the United States, can summon the political will and courage to move forward.
The World Trade Organization's latest confab on the Doha Round didn't produce a deal, and public statements in the wake of the meeting suggested that any agreement may be a long way off. But behind closed doors, there is some cause for optimism—if political leaders among the 153 member countries, especially those in the United States, can summon the political will and courage to move forward.
After eight long years of negotiations, most WTO members think the current "package" of negotiated trade concessions is sufficient, and want to conclude the round where it stands. The economic climate has given many members a sense of urgency: A global trade deal would increase trade, discourage protectionism and do much to spur the job growth that is trailing overall renewed growth in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Yet the Obama administration still isn't onboard with a deal. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said at the Geneva WTO meeting earlier this month that the deal as it currently stands does not deliver "meaningful market access in the part of the world that will be growing and driving GDP growth over the next few years," referring to fast-growing developing countries such as China, India and Brazil.
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