The revised draft negotiating text for agriculture and industrial tariffs for the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Doha Round talks is likely to be delayed due to certain unresolved technical issues in agriculture and non-agricultural market access (Nama).
The proposals were to be released in the week of November 19, according to deputy director general of WTO Harsh V Singh. But, the new draft would now come out only by the end of November.
The outstanding issues include tariff cuts on industrial products, opposition to cotton subsidies of the US and its demand for eliminating duties on certain sectors apart from protection to sensitive products demanded by developing countries including India.
Besides, since the Trade Promotion Authority of the Bush administration has expired in July 2007, it is not certain whether the US Congress would approve the decisions taken by the US trade negotiators, sources said.
To resolve the differences, a number of meetings are scheduled between November 14-19, including the G-20 and G-33 meeting on Thursday in Geneva, which will be attended by the commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath. After the release of new texts, there would be a ministerial meeting in January 2008. Meanwhile, in Nama discussions, the group of developing nations appears to be under pressure.