"Third" World to the WTO: We're not your bee-yotch anymore!

[marmar]

via Truthout:



WTO Talks Collapse Amidst Developing Countries' Reluctance to Sacrifice Food Security
Tuesday 29 July 2008

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by: The Center for Economic and Policy Research

Last-minute attempt to push through a WTO expansion "deal" fails.

Washington, DC - Despite trade ministers' hopes for a last-minute deal, World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations collapsed yet again today, and observers at the talks in Geneva say that the failure is not surprising, given the reluctance of India and other developing nations to sacrifice food security measures in the wake of the recent global spike in food prices.

Given President Bush's lame duck status, negotiators had been called to Geneva to try to push through a last-minute deal before Bush left office. Because negotiators need about six months after a deal on the major issues to complete the details of the agreement, this possibility has now evaporated.

"Given what's been on the table, no deal is better than a bad deal. A Doha conclusion would have had major negative impacts for workers and farmers in developing countries. The tariff cuts demanded of developing countries would have caused massive job loss, and countries would have lost the ability to protect farmers from dumping, further impoverishing millions on the verge of survival," said Deborah James, Director of International Programs for the Center for Economic and Policy Research, who has been observing the talks in Geneva.

It is unclear why negotiations were proceeding, given the fact that the U.S. delegation does not have a mandate to conclude negotiations, as made clear by a letter from Senators Feingold and Byrd sent to President Bush last week. In addition, cuts in subsidies agreed to by the U.S. are also incompatible with the new U.S. Farm Bill passed by Congress, and over-riding a veto by President Bush.

Many developing nations not invited to participate in the exclusive "Green Room" meetings in Geneva this past week are likely to continue strong opposition to a deal in the midst of a global economic downturn and increasing concerns over food security. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthout.org/article/wto-talks-collapse-amidst-concerns-food-security

[SpiralHawk]

1. "We were sooo close to complete corporate takeover. Sigh." - Republicon Homelander Negotiators

"Shock and awe, baby. Through means occult or otherwise, we'll be baaaaaaack. Sneer."

- Republicon Homelander Corporate Apparatchik WTO Negotiators