WTO Talks End in Stalemate

By Jim.Robinson|December 10, 2009

Three days of trade talks came to an end on December 2 in Geneva, Switzerland, with no new progress being reported by the World Trade Organization. The WTO is charged with brokering a trade liberalization treaty ahead of a 2010 deadline. One stated objective of the talks is to boost world trade while including specific measures that assist poor countries.

The primary barrier to an accord is the level of cuts to agricultural subsidies and industrial product tariffs being suggested by developing nations. In particular, the United States has been cited for the level of subsidies that its grants to cotton producers.

Similar trade talks broke down in 2008 over subsidy protection.

India, Brazil and 20 other developing nations have called for another meeting in Spring 2010 to attempt final negotiations.