Page 3 - Doha Development Round News Today

As Brussels is preparing to hit Moscow with another round of economic sanctions over the situation in Ukraine, Austria’s former minister of foreign affairs... 14.12.2022, Sputnik International

The World Trade Organization's (WTO) Seventh Ministerial Conference held earlier this month did little to spur progress on a global trade pact.

Thank you for inviting me to join you and share my thoughts on threats and opportunities around the world. As much as things have changed since my first days at Heritage, there are some things that do not change. The threat to freedom is one of them. Most important is the vigilance with which all Americans, and foundations like Heritage, must vigorously defend and promote freedom in the world.

Time is running out for the world's leaders to strengthen the global trading system. In their July meeting, G-8 leaders should commit to eliminating trade barriers established in the aftermathof the financial crisis within the year, establish a globalmoratorium on new trade barriers and excessive use of traderemedies, and set a hard timeline and blueprint for concludingtrade negotiations within the WTO.

An improved political climate alone will not be enough to breakdown the many barriers to economic activity between the U.S. andIndia.

The U.N.'s credibility and effectiveness in reducing poverty andpromoting economic development are at stake, but what reallymatters are the lives of millions around the world for whomeconomic freedom offers the best hope for a more productive lifeand the dignity of self-reliance. An alliance that promotes thatagenda would make the U.N.'s development work much more effective.

In order to determine where the next U.S. Trade Representative stands on crucial issues, these questions should be put to the nominee during his confirmation hearing.

The U.S. should commit to reforming its farm support programs,giving the Doha WTO round a chance to conclude successfully

For further progress to be made toward concluding the Doha Round in2006, countries need to remember that gaining market access forexports is just as important as gaining access to cheaper imports.The U.S. proposal would move beyond the impasse on agriculture andaddress issues of importance to all, including those regardingtrade in services and manufactures.

Now that the economic storm has spread from the U.S. to much of theworld, the need to keep the nation's trade and investment barriers low and competitive is even more critical.