Last week's APEC meetings in Brunei saw a dramatic debate between the developed countries and some developing countries (led by Malaysia) on how soon to launch a new Round of trade talks at the World Trade Organisation. Malaysia insisted that first agreeing to the content of such a Round should precede a move to launch a Round. Fixing the agenda or launching a Round may appear to be only a matter of emphasis. In fact, it could make all the difference to the future economic and social prospects developing countries.