Australia urged to play more balanced role in world trade talk

European Union's (EU) Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has accused the Australian government of being biased towards the United States in negotiations for a global trade deal, calling for Canberra to play a more constructive role.

He has also rejected an invitation to a trade meeting in Australia's northeastern city of Cairns next month.

The meeting was initially for the Australian-led Cairns Group of 18 farm-exporting countries to mark the 20th anniversary of the formation of the free trade group, but is was expanded to include the United States and EU as the last-ditch effort to salvage the failed Doha free trade talks.

Mandelson called for Australia to stop criticizing Europe's position and play a balanced role.

"If we heard as much messaging to the United States on farm subsidies as we in Europe hear from Australia on market access on agriculture then I think that Australia's approach would be considered a bit more balanced," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio Monday.

But Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer rejected Mandelson's criticism.

Vaile said Australia has been constructive from the start.

"We've been the honest broker if you like in this process so far, we've not been biased towards one side or the other," he said.

"We have suggested that both the European Union and the US need to move to make compromises to find some common ground so we can get this deal done," said Vaile.

Source: Xinhua