Diverse nieuwe analyses van Third World Network (per 31 juli)
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admits Lamy
2008
Issues
press briefing just hours after the
Tuesday night, WTO Director General
beating about the bush about the
of the negotiations.
trigger for special safeguard
who feared it would disrupt normal trade
Others wanted a lower trigger. After
differences were not reconcilable.
were not negotiated.
table and Round? We need the dust to
in future at this point, must see
together."
will not strengthen the
gave insurance against
system is resilient and can go through
of leadership by the US and India,
on his side. Whether and when it
the talks to be put back on track
try to be made tonight on this difference
consult but as far as I am
I will try to put it back on
failure to bridge a difference meant
responsibility on what threatened the
should have been addressed up-front,
that the SSM issue is the cause of
cotton. The thing broke down on SSM. Why
was linked to product specific caps
and cotton is linked to that. It is
negotiate something if they believe
to other things.
WTO, there are on going litigations on
taken they would have been implemented
issue will be active in the DSB."
meeting and if he intended to stand as
the same question. He asked
shouldn’t have done it.
without Ministers in town and de-doing the
constructed around these topics. We need
walls. We did it, we had 25 items and
job. We are in single undertaking, we
3 issues to be closed."
had no answer for moment, it is a
in 2 years because of elections
political cycle, in the US, India,
near the end of its mandate. We have to
at press briefing
2008
Issues
Trade Representative Susan Schwab said
G7 had accepted the Lamy package
implied that these two countries (India
Geneva from success.
for the US to find itself without a Doha
scope of a special safeguard
Pascal Lamy’s compromise package, which
negotiations, would have "done the trick".
Wednesday morning following the
previous evening.
progress" was made over the last week in
Round package in agriculture,
"We’ve probably moved the ball further
have in the last eight years."
thought we had the makings of a deal.
countries in the "G7 leadership group"
put forward by Director-General
weren’t able to capitalize on that."
deadlocked on the scope of a
that there was such a provision in
would have done the trick. The provision
concerns and needs of those worried
livelihood of farmers in the event of
demanded more, and more included a tool to
that "it would have been a very sad
the conclusion had resulted in higher
those we had coming in. And quite
that the safeguard mechanism be
have been the outcome."
trigger (in the SSM) are not just
with how should it be for a
to other developing countries, and
developing country, a recently acceded member
back tariff concessions it made in its
safeguard mechanism that
need to address exceptional
import surges and "a mechanism that
trading system for decades to come."
this debate about how easy or hard
imports took place in the context
"when the last thing we should be
even thinking about is raising
other important things on the table
subsidies to over-fishing, environmental
She believed the will was there to
its offers, and that it had put
of how the issue evolves and how it
and practical issues. She set
that this wasn’t really a political
asked under what circumstances should
bindings. "Under what
pretty much to violate one of the
which is bindings."
countries use the surge mechanism to raise
noting that the US did agree that there
happen. "They needed to be narrowly
legitimate surges rather than create this
vitiate or renege on three decades of
percentage of base imports in the SSM
compromise point that was reached, she
import of soy beans over the last
could have used this mechanism in 8
above bound rates. In case of
mechanism in 6 out of 9 years to raise
mechanism in 3 out of 6 years to raise
that turning into a free-for-all where
barriers every year," said Schwab,
question of how easy do you make it
above current rates.
countries that felt so strongly about
they were willing to give up the
because it doesn’t currently exist."
that there are some discreet parts of
or have almost been negotiated, or
can be moved forward – duty-free
competition, trade facilitation,
could start moving ahead and see whether
reflect how will the multilateral
It may be as Pascal has said the
built for the Doha Round was its own
demise," she said.
timing, does it all have to come together at
the basic premise… Why should it
same time. We need to reflect on how
moving forward certainly with
longer term."
night was the compromise package,
included the negotiated number, that 6
"The fact that one or more held out for
differed from the one that had been
the room, developed and developing –
not addressed (in the G7) and that
days, Schwab said that the issues
ones that Director-General Lamy
we knew that there were other issues
including cotton."
comment on the fact that there was never
had offered a solution to break the
negotiator who offered a tiered
sides to move, but that the US
answer is no. The answer is what you are
incorrect…"
was a package… it was a compromise
inch of its life and it had a
addition to modest market opening on
significant market opening on the part
in the room except one accepted
she said that "all of us showed
show their hand…" She added that
asked participants if they could
move ahead with that. "5 out of 7
package." +
talks failed
2008
Issues
"We cannot put at stake the livelihood
countries," Indian Commerce Minister
the stalemate that occurred the
special safeguard mechanism in the WTO
media today after the collapse of the
a special safeguard mechanism is
that frustrates it. "Then, why have
he asked.
he was willing to negotiate
security. If there was to be a stalemate on
have been entirely different from this
the last three years on the issues of
declaration of the G33, the ACP,
vulnerable economies – representing about
important thing was that the livelihood
poor farmers could not be traded off
developed countries.
developing countries had been given the SSM.
development round lies less than full
special safeguard mechanisms. "That’s
bedrock of this round."
terms of a contingency, and when you
which frustrates it. "Otherwise, why
mechanism," asked Nath. "It was this which led
we cannot put at stake the
from all countries," said Nath.
Friday, Nath said: "I want to make it
Friday where I had very clearly said
is not adequate in terms of the
proposal has subsidies which are twice
given.
to guard themselves against a surge of
need a special safeguard mechanism.
in any event and more so to protect
products."
Director-General Pascal Lamy to treat this as
the table what is there.
worked very hard and have produced texts
commercial interests but what is at stake
friends, to our LDCs; we would have to
Brazil and G20, which had taken a
said that the G20 is a diverse group
credibility. The G20’s proposal has always
for SSM and SPs. There are no
accepted by the G20 in its
Susan Schwab had said about possible
imposed safeguards 28 times in the last
today, he said that the SSM would not
anybody be worried. "But if it’s a
leaning towards safeguarding livelihood
interests?"
approach to the Doha Round had been one of
to be resolved at once, Nath said
there because nothing is agreed
WTO is not a buffet that you pick up what
compromise proposal by Lamy and
G7 group who tried to converge
Nath said that after the Friday
because one of the concerns was
are willing to subject ourselves to any
be crafted any way. That was
to read out the relevant provision
of the necessity by a permanent
will be within 60 days, and shall be
trading system has any country agreed
India agreed to this. "We agreed to this
abuse." There was a proposal and it
to the US).
decided that a proposal meeting the
after consultations, and for three
officials) on Tuesday morning. It was
adding that he did not want to go into
"given" and it is the bedrock. It was the
you say ‘we don’t want to give you
then so be it."
talks will go down in India, Nath said
out. India has always stood for
must remember that India has more poor than
always stood by the concerns, the
shall continue to do so," he said.
Indian Commerce Minister said that
It’s not that they have broken down
on a safeguard mechanism to protect
think anybody doubts that. Now, if somebody
protection’, what do you do," he
reassess Doha priorities after talks fail
2008
Issues
Sangeeta Shashikant) — Many developing
the Doha negotiations following the
talks. In particular, they said
that development issues, concerns
account at the various meetings.
formal Trade Negotiations Committee
of the proceedings) at the WTO
negotiations, it remained convinced
issues in NAMA and agriculture and to
the end, "we found it difficult to
terms with an issue that reflects the
the world", clearly referring
the issues on which we could not
to the development mandate of the
disciplines, special products, SSM,
treatment for LDCs, etc.
serious introspection. We have to ask why we
concern developing countries in the
the future credibility of [the]
a way will have to be found to
the bulk of its membership."
initiated to consider how to take
development implications on a fast track
for trade, and enhanced integrated
disheartened. As a first step, it
understandings on a number of issues, and the
very substantial corpus of work that
engagement. They are too important to be
introspection, we need to engage
the gaps.
Minister, said the failure is a
regretted that there was no early
LDCs, the banana issue and tropical
support the proposal for an early
bananas."
of the causes for the failure, we
systemic implications for the WTO and the
countries on equitable terms into the
important lessons from the last 10
agenda must remain at the centre of
strengthening the system to support
must ensure the development objectives
mercantilist objectives. Development
synonymous… A single minded focus on trade
detrimental to broader development
agenda and the negotiation process
days is that pursuing rigid formulas and
situations and concerns of particular
The system must respond and
particular countries.
principles of SDT and less than full
countries, while taking into account
countries."
by ministers, China is disappointed
confronted with in the
general terms, China reiterated the
that the round should deliver,
successful conclusion.
Members need to exercise genuine
than engage in any unhelpful
responsibilities onto others, including
multilateral trading system, Members
China. All the progress made should
and we should resume our work as
outstanding.
that it shared the deep
we are unable to achieve the
constructively. We have showed flexibility
members. The G33 was prepared to
balance. But it regretted that the
and constructive approach. It hoped
keeping the positive results achieved.
disappointed and said the problems were on
the senior officials should have
possible, the main controversial
made before the meeting with broad
positions and options were clearly
problematic because of how the
group was formed (referring to
to the wrong insistence by
developing countries. The level of
exceeds that of developed countries,
Declaration.
made to the text especially on NAMA,
that it can be a basis of
compliance with the principles of the
progress in NAMA, said Argentina.
Representative Susan Schwab said that
but rather a time for reflection.
for constructive leadership.
that we did not reach the goal, and
General that "what you have put on the
There is always room for improvement and
of this negotiations were not on
have not succeeded, a lot of useful
issues are open. The first priority
the Chair’s reports, report of the
of TRIPS consultations, this will
internal reflection, and the DG has many
diplomacy, technical work on issues that
plurilateral discussion on how to improve the
achieved should be reflected in a
Community) said that we cannot avoid
some leading members cannot secure
G33, the Carribean Community is of
is a sine qua non.
it is inconceivable and beyond our
moment, we could not construct the
the SSM and possible abuse of SSM.
prevent an agreement).
a shabby fashion, said Guyana.
deal with the C4’s proposals, to
us on this issue. Let us try and
allow an early harvest for cotton
matter, it is necessary to note that
the Caribbean are exposed to an
will not subscribe to the terms of
since that agreement seeks to drive
industry.
the farmers but how it intends to
livelihoods is yet to be seen.
should take into account the
negotiations should have the
entire membership. It strongly affirmed
groups of countries or their
Round cannot and should not represent a
past days) did not involve the full
nor reflect the interests of all
back to having the negotiations in
made by members that are not
the reports can be credible.
the Chair of the group should limit
given on his own responsibility, since
successful outcome, this is due not
but to the lack of real political
which would like to impose their
membership.
it is a sad day but all is not lost.
gaps on a number of pending issues.
a road map are concerns that we
enormous amount of work achieved.
not lost. We should reflect on the
players to exercise flexibilities to
this plea has not been heeded. The
temporary. It warned against a blame game.
should avoid setting artificial dates.
enhance the development dimension.
considered the only basis for
informal positions of members should also
positions should be treated equally.
felt that certain texts were not
TRIPS disclosure consultations, Bolivia
as it does not cover concerns of
on life.
Rules negotiations the reform of
agreements) be included. It wanted to
and asymmetries as principles in
mandate on a text although it
consensus (such as treatment of LDCs). It
there should be an exclusion from
rights, such as education, water,
cotton and LDCs. It said there should
However, we should indicate that
problems in truly achieving
problem is with mind-sets. We want
achieving beneficial results with the
rich countries on development was
starting point, at how the new
participation of members. We cannot
a reduced number of countries can
members noted that this was a
called for changes in the direction of
Venezuela and Bolivia said on services.
said we have to face up to the
fail for lack of time. We failed
close the final gaps. He said we
at stake in modalities. This was a
people will look at the question on
heads in disbelief.
including a 60% average cut in the EU’s
distorting subsidies, cuts to industrial
average tariff of barely 2% and no
things in a single package. What
success, must now be counted a massive
the insurance policy that would have
economy.
reflection, we must renew our dialogue,
Mandelson, and talk like adults about
politics in our countries will get any
to Geneva, not to take up where we
is not entirely lost. +
ponder what comes next
2008
Issues
WTO talks were heading for a collapse
G7 failed to reach agreement on
mechanism (SSM) for agriculture in
become the center of the negotiations
that on an extra trigger of 140% or
use the SSM to raise the duty above
rates set at the Uruguay Round or
India in the G7 meeting this morning.
about 100 developing countries in
groups, which on Monday circulated
Special Products at the Trade
"Green Room" have been expressing
progress of the G7 talks, as they have had
as the WTO meeting went beyond its
to end last Saturday).
Lamy had invited for the
go back, as they found little role
here, while those remaining had
"I have a government to run back
he left the WTO for the last time,
the diminishing number of Ministers
diplomat. "It has become a mini
inability to keep these other Green Room
if the G7 Ministers were willing
deadline for the talks to succeed
big cause on which a majority of
and the G33-ACP-Africa-LDC-SVE joint
SP and SSM had changed the dynamics
India as the country that was
while the media went along and painted
Minister, as the one person holding back
his stubborn and intractable
statement articulated the deeply-felt
already led to import surges and
a an effective and easy-to-use SSM
farmers’ dislocation.
call for these countries. "And a
an effective SSM that we can use"
were echoed by many in the past few
strong attack by the US on China and
Committee soured the atmosphere, and
one-page draft on SSM which was
agriculture Chair’s text of 10 July
Nath on Friday night told
the new SSM text, and he called on
the basis for discussion.
altogether and with figures on the
be imposed to counter lower import
"The level and duration of the
harm in question, and shall not
adjustment. The duration of the
year."
made the SSM more simple to use as
could be the basis for a solution.
later also welcomed the simplicity and
above. However, they were against
that the SSM could be used when a
quantities or price and under such conditions
food security, livelihood security
"demonstrable harm" is similar to the WTO’s
serious injury to local producers is a
"normal safeguard." It is because the special
require prevention of harm or injury
injury, that a special safeguard for
criteria must be satisfied is more
the normal safeguard, i. e. injury
other members can ask for a review
group of experts whose decision will
not subject to appeal, is also
could be a disincentive for affected
the text made India accept it as
United States, however, refused to use
continued to insist on the new and
(of 25 July), that if a country
above the pre-Doha levels, it has
volume trigger (i. e. that the
40% or more), and that the price of
duties above the pre-Doha bound rates
US, while India and the G33 and other
accept this special trigger, which
by Lamy in his 25 July draft.
explored by officials of the G7
basis of an agreement on SSM.
morning, the G7 deadlock on SSM was
progress in other areas was also
reportedly spoke of their frustration
results, thus increasing the atmosphere
the WTO’s July process.
Representative Susan Schwab appeared
Friday night, "we were so close to
things had moved apart.
said: "No, I am not saying the Round
the Round."
more or less confirmed that the real
WTO will be preoccupied with what
texts and proposals on the table,
status than others, and whether
after the summer break in September,
if so how and when they might be revived. +
"positive signals"
2008
Issues
Raja) — A "services signalling
WTO on Saturday afternoon seems to have
developing countries that took part in
States, European Union and Australia, as
indications that they had received
potential partners had been
sceptical whether the US and EU
promises in trying to offer
visas for developing country
which countries took part. However,
included the US, EU, Japan,
and New Zealand, as well as China,
Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Brazil, Chile,
Uruguay.
the negotiations on agriculture and
was insisted on by developed
they could gauge the levels of
were willing to make.
idea of the overall level of gains
market-access package of agriculture, NAMA
influence the concessions they would be
NAMA.
the demandeurs of the signalling
were interested to find out the
presence) that the developing
interested in the offers on Modes 1
would make, while LDCs were especially
movement of natural persons).
Representative Susan Schwab said that
about services by Ministers was ”a
liked to have seen more on the
would acknowledge it was a good
will proceed so that we can see what
like in writing…”
Mode 4, Schwab said that ”on Mode 4,
We’ll continue to do that and when
professionals, we signalled that
conversation in the context of the Doha
conjunction with our consultations
said ”we just had a very good
offers. I was encouraged by some of
that what was said this afternoon will
services in the autumn.”
signals from India, and a couple of
that he wants to specify and follow
that he indicated on Mode 4. He hoped
indicated so ”as to make it worth our
told journalists that on Modes 1 and
the EU, while the US made some
that it was subject to decisions by
said that the EU had signalled an
removal of an economics needs test and
a certain number (that it
such as Australia and Canada also
conditioned their statement on Mode 4
with Congress.
Brazil signalled offers on reinsurance,
maritime transport; China signalled
construction and energy services; and
market research, mining-linked
telecoms, financial services and
participants of the signalling conference
scepticism whether the US will be
to try to win over Congress to get
country citizens.
is "ready to talk" on giving more
said that "to have a conversation
words of Schwab – is even less than
value, and more so when the "conversation" will
"consultations with Congress".
fast track authority, the congressional
– viewing it as ‘not a trade’
US agreed to provide some temporary
requirements; and in some
states.
having no authority whatsoever to
commitments by Congress, and given
political debates in the US over the
guest worker’ proposal that Bush
the offer to hold conversations is
provide more such visas, unless the Lisbon
(and there is no sign Ireland is
visas, and other work permit
within jurisdiction of individual
members of the EU have to agree and, as at the
scheduling of the GATS concessions, they
and limitations – and in some
to one European country to
combine the work and move on to
job".
expert on services negotiations,
on Mode 4, it is necessary to
"movement of key business personnel" in their
the CARIFORUM EPA.
very strict conditions for gaining
large numbers of contract service
at first instance appear to
inconceivable that the EC would offer more
adopted approach in regional and
negotiating an FTA with India and
for that one."
expert and working as senior
CSO research centre) and closely
demands and proposals, said that
EU (and the US) on Mode 4,
suppliers from developing countries to
misleading.
persons who would be allowed to work in
professionals if they have a contract,
poorer services people some
interested in.
EU is very much interested of
from around the world in the EU where
professionals they need. For quite some
lobbying for more relaxing of
professionals, she added.
proposals that have been seemingly made at the
significant reduction of foreign equity
Art. XVI on market access)," said
countries’ multinational companies will have it
and more services companies in the
more that 50% of the shares), with
headquarters and their shareholders,"
assurance of better services in the developing
controlled services companies bring
is far from proven in different
liberalisation that may be "signalled" for
Stichele. "What has been called progress
might give more market access in
consumers. However, these
North and are mostly those
to the financial crisis and the
supervision of institutions such as hedge
have been offered, is still far
so-called Mode 4 offers of the EU and US,
Modes 1 and 3, as a kind of
demanded by the US and EU from India or
misleading. +