Trade Talks Suspended - DOHA Round Hanging by a Thread

WTO Trade talks, launched in 2001, have been suspended and the Doha Round of trade negotiations is now hanging by a thread after intensive meetings between a group of six major players including Australia, the United States, the European Union, Brazil, India and Japan were unable to un-block discussions.

Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, said that "while the outcome was disappointing, no outcome was better than a poor outcome". "Doha Lite - short hand for a less ambitious outcome in the round - was never an option for Australia".

The Cairns Group of agricultural exporting countries, which is chaired by Australia, has sought for twenty years for root and branch reform of world agricultural trade, especially market access, export competition, and domestic support. Anything short of effective cuts, meaningful reform and real trade flows was never going to be sufficient to complete this round.

"This is a difficult time but we cannot shirk our responsibility to bring this round to a successful conclusion", Mr Vaile said. "This round was launched with the aim to reform world agricultural markets, continue liberalisation of trade in industrial products and services and lift developing countries out of poverty. We have that same ambition today".

Mr Vaile said "this round was launched to expand market access and this remains our core objective. The value of what we do will be judged by the new commercial opportunities created. The round is not yet over".

While agriculture is at the centre of the round, it is also the key to unlocking new market opportunities for industrial products and services. Australia remains committed to high ambition in all areas of the negotiations. The WTO remains Australia's number one trade priority.

Contact: Mr Vaile's Office 02 6277 7420, Departmental 02 6261 1555