Brussels, 23/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - In correspondence dated 21 July and addressed to European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and to US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, European and American business circles - represented by the associations BusinessEurope, the Business Round Table, the European Services Forum, the Coalition of Service Industries, the National Association of Manufacturers and the US Chamber of Commerce - call on the EU and United States to make more assertive progress towards breaking the deadlock in the multilateral Doha Round talks, which have been bogged down since the ministerial meeting in July 2008. The idea behind the letter was to convince the major emerging economies - Brazil, China and India - to use their growing economic force to unblock the Round, agreeing to concessions on manufactured goods and services.
The members of the transatlantic business coalition explain: “The success of the Doha Round depends on the willingness of the large emerging countries to assume the responsibility commensurate with the economic benefits they have been realising as a result of global trade and investment liberalisation. (…) It is essential for the large emerging economies to participate in negotiations on key industrial sectors (Ed: sectorals which aim, on the basis of voluntary participation, at the total elimination of tariffs in 14 sectors including the motor industry, chemical products, electronics, fisheries, wood, raw materials, machines, sports equipment, toys, textiles and pharmaceuticals). On services, what is on the table falls far short of providing the substantial and meaningful improvements in market access, especially by the large emerging economies, that are needed to create the new business opportunities essential for economic growth, development and job creation”. They also urge European and American business negotiators to work towards abolishing non tariff barriers and to simplify customs procedures. “We do not want to rely on the promise of a hypothetical follow-up WTO round to provide the economic growth the world economy needs in the short to medium term. The Doha Round is still the best hope for the future, and we are committed to working with you in any way we can to realise that ambition”, the letter states by way of conclusion. (E.H./transl.jl)