The European Union's trade chief on Monday defended a decision not to attend a summit in Australia designed to revive stalled global trade talks, accusing Canberra of being too close to the United States.
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said Australia should take a more balanced approach to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks, which collapsed in July after ministers failed to reach an agreement on farm subsidies and market access for agriculture.
"If we had as much messaging to the United States on the farm subsidies as we in Europe hear from Australia on market access in agriculture, then I think Australia's approach will be considered a bit more balanced," Mandelson told Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday.
Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile rejected the criticism, saying Australia had been been an honest broker and was not biased towards any side in the stand-off.
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1142862006
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