| The United States and Brazil, both of which are key | | | | launched in 2001 at the Qatari capital. It has been |
| players of the international trade talks, said that they | | | | aimed at tearing down trade barriers in order to |
| still hoped a deal could be made in the succeeding | | | | promote trade liberalization and to boost the global |
| months. A week ago, the last of a series of | | | | economy, as well as the respective economies of |
| attempts to revive the Doha Development Round of | | | | nations particularly the poorer countries. However, |
| trade talks failed due to the unsettled trade disputes | | | | after 5 years of negotiations, the International Trade |
| among the members of the World Trade | | | | talks have been suspended last week due to |
| Organization (WTO). The international trade bloc was | | | | disputes on farm subsidies and tariffs. |
| supposed to come up with an outline of a global deal | | | | Both the United States and the European Union |
| last July. However, no significant progress was made | | | | blamed each other for the delay. On one hand, the |
| due to disagreements on the cutting of farm | | | | US accused the EU of failing to equal the former's |
| subsidies and import tariffs. | | | | offer during the negotiations. On the other hand, the |
| The recent comments from the two countries | | | | EU blamed the US for being inflexible. Particularly, it |
| though are important considering the role of the US | | | | criticized the US for refusing to further cut its |
| and Brazil in the international trade talks. On one hand, | | | | agricultural subsidies. Other developing nations have |
| the US is seen as impeding a potential deal regarding | | | | also seen the US as a major factor blocking an |
| the reduction of agricultural subsidies. On the other | | | | international trade deal. |
| hand, Brazil heads a large group of developing | | | | During their meetings, both the US and Brazil |
| countries. According to the two parties, an | | | | committed themselves in helping to resolve the trade |
| agreement could be made within 5 to 7 months. | | | | disputes impeding the progress of the international |
| American and Brazilian negotiators have already met | | | | trade talks. Needless to say, both countries said that |
| several times in Rio de Janeiro in an effort to revive | | | | any deal would require the collective effort of the |
| the international trade talks. US Trade Representative | | | | members of the global trade bloc. WTO nations |
| Susan Schwab commented that both the US and | | | | believe that global free trade deals can boost the |
| Brazil were leaders in the attempts to break the | | | | world economy, as well as their respective economy. |
| deadlock at the Doha Development Round of trade | | | | However, they find it hard to make a decision at the |
| talks. According to her, the meeting between the | | | | Doha round of talks due to political factors and |
| two parties marked the start of a process, which | | | | pressures from local industries and manufacturers. It |
| was expected to be backed by the other members | | | | must be noted that the WTO is also rushing with the |
| of the WTO. | | | | global trade deal before the negotiating authority of |
| The Doha Development Round of trade talks was | | | | US President George W. Bush ends in 2007. |