Doha Round's success depends on India, China and Brazil: US

Lalit K Jha
Washington, June 17 (PTI) Alleging that some key global
players were acting as a roadblock in international trade
negotiations, a top US trade official has said the success or
failure of the Doha Round depends on countries like India,
China and Brazil.
"Today, the key roadblock is the continued resistance of
some important partners to engage in sustained, meaningful
negotiations," said US Deputy Trade Representative Demetrois
Marantis during his speech yesterday at the 25th annual World
Trade Day in Rhode Island.
"The success or failure of the Doha Round depends on
whether advanced developing countries like China, India and
Brazil accept the responsibility that comes along with
their growing roles in the global economy," he said.
The Obama administration is gearing up to host the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2011.
"It has been nearly two decades since we last hosted
the APEC - a grouping that includes 21 economies which, today,
represent more than half the global economic output and almost
half the world trade," he said.
"We have an exciting opportunity to better integrate
our economies by cutting red tape, dismantling trade barriers,
and promoting trade in clean energy goods and services," he
added.
"Through 2011, we will also take APEC to Americans
by holding a series of ministerial and senior officials
meetings around the country, including a meeting of ministers
responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises," Marantis
said.
The US is also moving forward on other trade initiatives.
"Three pending US free trade agreements with Korea,
Colombia and Panama are also important opportunities to grow
well-paying jobs here at home. That is why USTR is working to
address outstanding concerns with these agreements and find
ways to move them forward," he said.
"On the free trade agreement with Panama, we have
engaged in extensive discussions with Panama on unresolved
labor and tax transparency issues. Several labour reforms are
already in force," he said.
With encouragement from the United States, the Colombian
government has already taken a number of steps to address
issues relating to violence against unionists, besides
concerns regarding its labour law regime.
"Our trade agreement with Korea promises the most
economic and jobs potential. We are consulting with Congress
and other US stakeholders to determine how best to address
outstanding concerns and move forward," Marantis said. PTI LKJ
MYR