By Xinhua
Sydney : Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss Tuesday called on the US and other countries concerned to make significant concessions to conclude the Doha Round of negotiations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
“Certainly, the US farm subsidies are a concern for other countries, particularly agricultural item producing countries. We would like the US to take positive steps toward reducing its farm support,” Truss told journalists after meeting US Trade Representative Susan Schwab on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Week.
But he noted that other countries should also make concessions such as in industrial sector before the Doha Round negotiations can yield fruits.
The WTO talks have come to a standstill because of differences between the US, European Union, Brazil and India on eliminating trade barriers to agricultural produce and manufactured goods. WTO negotiations will resume in Geneva this week to discuss draft texts aimed at ending the deadlock between developed and developing countries.
Analysts here said that a world trade deal could slip away if progress is not made within the next few months. Schwab warned in July that a breakthrough could be delayed several years if no progress was made by the end of 2007.
Truss said that all members of the APEC are committed to free trade, but it is still important for the economic leaders to make a strong statement of support for the Doha Round. Such statement will give impetus and encouragement to the WTO negotiations, he said.
Schwab said Monday that developed countries needed to do more to ensure Doha succeeded. The US was prepared to do its share, but fast-growing countries also had a big role to play.
The 21 APEC economies account about 46 percent of global trade and about 60 percent of global economic activity.