Doha Trade Deal Still Possible, Bush Says

By REUTERS
Published: March 29, 2008
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The United States is willing to make agricultural concessions to reach a new world trade deal if other countries open their markets to more American exports, President Bush said Friday.
“We’re willing to make serious concessions on the agricultural front, but we expect other nations to open up their markets on manufacturing as well as services,” Mr. Bush said at a news conference after meeting Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia.
Mr. Bush said the Doha round of trade talks, which is now in its seventh year, was a major topic of his conversation with Mr. Rudd.
“I said it’s possible to achieve a Doha round. He, too, believes we should work to achieve a Doha round,” Mr. Bush said.
On Monday, Brazil’s chief Doha negotiator, Roberto Azevedo, said negotiators were closer than ever to an agreement, but there was still no certainty of success.
The United States and the European Union both face demands to make deep cuts in their agricultural subsidies and tariffs, but want major developing countries like India and Brazil to open their markets in exchange.
Negotiators have been working in Geneva toward a possible ministerial-level meeting in April or May, where it is hoped a long-awaited breakthrough will occur.