The new group of seven key WTO powers (U.S., European Union, Japan, Australia, Brazil, India and the newly added member China), met until the early hours of Thursday morning to see whether they could thrash out a deal to save the Doha Round. The effort seems so have failed.
Only those that were in the room actually know what happened; and they are not talking. Rumors circulating around the WTO suggest that it was a long, hard and gruelling night. No progress to speak of, just a confirmation that the differences between the seven members remain wide, and that no one is prepared to make the next move. The talks could very possibly collapse tonight.
A statement by WTO Director General Pascal Lamy this morning confirmed that the seven countries "still remain too far apart," but he has not given up.
