Doha Round still deadlocked as U.S. refuses to cave

The Doha Round of global trade talks are still in deadlock on Saturday as the United States refuses to further cut trade-distorting farm subsidies.

"We have clearly reached something of an impasse here," U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab told reporters at a press conference, following two days of intensive negotiations in Geneva which were participated by some 60 ministers.

Schwab reiterated, however, that the United States had already put forward a substantial offer on the reduction of domestic farm support, and other parties, especially the EU and major developing countries, must move further on market access.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns echoed Schwab's position, insisting that U.S. farmers must achieve enough market access into the EU and developing countries.

Negotiations will continue on Saturday in various forms, including group meetings and a full-member meeting of all 149 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which launched and steers the Doha Round.

But the chance of a breakthrough is obviously very little, as major players all stick to their positions and refuse to make further concessions.

Schwab said she was "disheartened" at the talks. But she said the talks were still not dead and the U.S. remained committed to an ambitious agreement by the end of the year.

Source: Xinhua