This week’s USTR.gov trade spotlight is on recent efforts by the United States and trading partners in Davos, Switzerland, to move the long-running Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations into an end game during 2011.
The Doha Round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization has the potential to open markets and strengthen global commerce for the coming decades as it fulfills the goal set out in 2001 of integrating the WTO’s poorest developing members more fully into the world’s trading system. However, the talks have been stalled for some time. United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk met with key fellow trade ministers on the margins of last week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to seek solutions.
In bilateral and multilateral meetings, Ambassador Kirk stressed the need for key emerging economies such as Brazil, China, and India to agree to open their markets further, so that the outcome of the talks will make a real difference for developing and developed countries alike. The United States remains committed to a successful, ambitious conclusion of the round, but Ambassador Kirk cautioned that if the talks are to be completed in 2011, real give-and-take negotiations must begin immediately. He said that the United States will engage on difficult issues, but that it is essential for all partners to do the same.
Many trading partners agreed that now is the time to make real progress in the Doha trade negotiations so that the promise of these world trade talks can be brought home to businesses and workers in America and around the world. The United States has its sleeves rolled up, and is willing to make every effort in coming weeks.
Ambassador Kirk and key trade ministers from around the world discussed the future of the Doha Round at meetings in Davos, Switzerland.
(Photo courtesy of the European Commission)
Ambassador Kirk meets with Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming in Davos to discuss the Doha Round.
Ambassador Kirk meets with Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma in Davos to discuss the Doha Round.
Ambassador Kirk meets with Brazilian Minister of External Relations Antonio Patriota in Davos to discuss the Doha Round.
