ID :
14467
Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/14467
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TRADE MINISTER REGRETS DEADLOCK IN WTO NEGOTIATIONS
Jakarta, July 30 (ANTARA) - Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu who is also coordinator of the G-33 (developing countries) said the deadlock in the WTO (World Trade Organization)'s Doha Development Agenda negotiations was regrettable.
"It is saddening," she said when contacted on Wednesday.
However, the minister expressed hope that WTO members would remain politically committed to making the negotiations a success.
"In the last ten days, compromises were reached on several issues. Why were these compromises not formalized in agreements, and was it not decided to continue talks on the other issues in September," she said.
At least 50 to 60 percent of the issues contained in the negotiation documents drafted early in July had been agreed on. One of them was the concept of Special Products (SP), namely the exclusion of a number of agricultural commodities from import duties.
The Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) had become the main issue that sparked debate in the negotiations among seven main countries, namely the United States, European Union, Japan, Brazil, China, Australia and New Zealand.
The SSM is a protective mechanism for local products against the import of the same commodities by the imposition of import tariffs.
In the text, the requirement for the imposition of the SSM is when the volume of import experiences an increase of 40 percent while prices are getting lower.
The G-33 and other developing country groups such as the African Group said they rejected the requirement because they thought it was not effective in protecting developing countries' farmers.
The developing countries wanted the increase in the volume of imports requiring the imposition of the SSM scheme to be about 10-15 percent.
"We have said that we were ready for compromise but we were not asked to have negotiations," Mari said.
She said the 40-percent import volume was too high and it did not accord with the text drafted on July 10.
"The United States was tough in its stand and was unwilling to be more flexible on this case," she added.
"It is saddening," she said when contacted on Wednesday.
However, the minister expressed hope that WTO members would remain politically committed to making the negotiations a success.
"In the last ten days, compromises were reached on several issues. Why were these compromises not formalized in agreements, and was it not decided to continue talks on the other issues in September," she said.
At least 50 to 60 percent of the issues contained in the negotiation documents drafted early in July had been agreed on. One of them was the concept of Special Products (SP), namely the exclusion of a number of agricultural commodities from import duties.
The Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) had become the main issue that sparked debate in the negotiations among seven main countries, namely the United States, European Union, Japan, Brazil, China, Australia and New Zealand.
The SSM is a protective mechanism for local products against the import of the same commodities by the imposition of import tariffs.
In the text, the requirement for the imposition of the SSM is when the volume of import experiences an increase of 40 percent while prices are getting lower.
The G-33 and other developing country groups such as the African Group said they rejected the requirement because they thought it was not effective in protecting developing countries' farmers.
The developing countries wanted the increase in the volume of imports requiring the imposition of the SSM scheme to be about 10-15 percent.
"We have said that we were ready for compromise but we were not asked to have negotiations," Mari said.
She said the 40-percent import volume was too high and it did not accord with the text drafted on July 10.
"The United States was tough in its stand and was unwilling to be more flexible on this case," she added.
