Pushing for concessions at talks
( 2003-09-12 09:34) (China Daily)
China called on the developed members of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
on Wednesday to make substantial concessions on agricultural issues during the
latest round of multi-lateral trade talks being held in Mexico.
"The current stalemate (on agriculture) cannot be broken, nor can the overall
negotiations be pushed forward until developed members with high subsidies, high
support and high tariffs make major and substantial reduction commitments," said
Lu Fuyuan, head of the Chinese delegation in a speech at the Fifth WTO
ministerial conference running from September 10 to 14.
Lu, China's trade minister, said tariffs must also be substantially reduced
for non-agricultural market access (NAMA).
"We believe that NAMA negotiations should aim to substantially reduce tariff
peaks and eliminate tariff escalation, and should also observe the principle of
'less than full reciprocity' to genuinely safeguard the interests of members
whose economies are at the level of developing countries," Lu said.
The Chinese minister also stressed that the specific circumstances in
developing countries should be taken into consideration in the new round of
talks.
The latest round of multi-lateral trade talks was launched at the Doha round
in 2001.
Trade ministers from the 146 WTO members are expected to reach agreements on
lowering global trade barriers, including farm subsidies, during the talks.
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