Qatar halts trade talks with U.S.

[Robbien]

DOHA, Qatar - Qatar has frozen bilateral free trade talks with the United States, saying Washington was imposing preconditions that were not in Doha's interest, a newspaper reported Saturday.

"The talks were not proceeding in the right direction. They were going nowhere. It was like two deaf people talking to each other. There was no sense in continuing with the dialogue," Al Khalifa said.


. . .

"We do not need a free trade agreement with the U.S.," Al Khalifa said.

Qatar, he said, already was a major destination of investment for U.S. companies because of favorable investment laws in the tiny Gulf nation.

Countries that are signing free trade deals with the U.S. are either getting financial support from Washington or want preferential treatment for their products in the U.S. markets, he said.

"As for Qatar, it needs none of these from America," said Al Khalifa.

Qatar's primary export is liquefied natural gas, for which there is a hungry worldwide market.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/breaking_news/14461807.htm

[dipsydoodle]

1. That's a polite way of saying

exactly what is it about f*ck off you don't quite understand.

[ben_thayer]

2. This should guarantee

their inclusion on the next "Axis of Evil" list! When is the invasion?

[rodeodance]

3. the WH will send in karen hughes. all will be well.

......Countries that are signing free trade deals with the U.S. are either getting financial support from Washington or want preferential treatment for their products in the U.S. markets, he said.

[Why Syzygy]

4. From my understanding

Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. They have world class golf courses and more Rolls Royces per capita than any other country. The U.S. should be so fortunate. Why George continues to believe he can be uppity in the world market is another befuddle. Oh, right. He knows nothing other than posturing.

[leesa]

6. Because the ultra-rich have this bizarre fantasy based on their unreal

perspective, that the US is still the wealthiest, most powerful country on earth. They have so much money, they can't see reality anymore. They are living in the past.

[Why Syzygy]

7. That's what I'm saying.

we look like beggars in the world market. So for Bush to continue to sashay and act the big shot is very bad news. It almost looks like . . they want us to decline?

[Tempest]

5. Watch for Qatar to make deals with China that are in their interests

China will gladly give Qatar more concessions than Bush is able and willing to give.