Doha deal 80 percent there: WTO chief
World Trade Organisation director-general Pascal Lamy says the Doha Round is about 80 percent there, referring to the global trade liberalisation deal currently stalled but “technically doable”.
Lamy indicated the final 20 percent would be about ironing out differences in agriculture and making trade between rich and poor nations fair and equitable.
“That probably has to do with what remains to be done with tariff reductions on industrial goods, and in some cases on agricultural goods, notably with the safeguard with developing countries,” he said. “My own sense is that is where the focus should be now.”
Lamy, visiting Australia this week, praised Minister for Trade Simon Crean for his campaign against protectionism, and enthusiasm for the positive effects of trade.
He also remarked that US President Barack Obama’s recent State of the Union address had a “positive tone on trade” despite a “difficult domestic political situation”.
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