Free-Trade Deal Differs From Original

[Socialist Christian]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=530&ncid=530&e=4&u=/ap/20031121/ap_on_bi_ge/us_trade_talks


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MIAMI - The trade ministers from 34 nations smiled, shook hands and patted one another on the back after finishing their latest meeting on creating the world's largest free-trade area.




But many see this week's congratulatory mood as unwarranted, arguing that the framework that the ministers approved Thursday was a major setback to the original goal set here nine years ago of tearing down all trade barriers from Alaska to Argentina.


"On one hand it was a success," said Eric Farnsworth, a vice president for the Council of the Americas, a business group. "But they've still got a long way to go."


The ministers created a framework for the Free Trade Area of the Americas that would have a common set of rules for all countries, with the option of participating in more areas. Their declaration speaks in generalities, but many believe it would allow countries to opt out of making concessions on controversial issues such as agriculture subsidies and intellectual property rights.