Deutsche Presse-Agentur | July 11, 2003
Buoyed by last month's long-awaited accord on revamping European Union farm policy, E.U. trade chief Pascal Lamy said Friday he now expected similar concessions from the U.S. and other members of the World Trade Organisation.
The E.U. reform package had given the bloc's trade negotiators an important "credit line" in current WTO negotiations on a new trade expansion accord, Lamy told reporters.
"But I will not spend it without others moving," Lamy warned, adding: "The U.S. will have to change its Farm Bill."
The U.S. approved a multi-billion dollar agriculture support bill last year which Brussels says runs counter to WTO commitments to phase out farm subsidies.
Lamy's comments came ahead of a crucial WTO ministerial meeting in Cancun, Mexico, next September where E.U. farm reform is expected to take centre stage.
Europeans have long been criticised for holding up discussions on farm liberalisation in the WTO.
But officials in Brussels say the new farm overhaul deal now strengthens Europe's hand in the WTO.
The E.U. wants the Cancun meeting to launch WTO negotiations on facilitating trade, competition and investment rules.
E.U. negotiators also want to secure additional WTO protection for so-called "geographical indications" or product names such as Bordeaux wines and Parma ham.
Europeans may find, however, that not everyone is impressed by the their "offensive" WTO stance.
India continues to oppose WTO talks on competition and investments while the U.S. has said it wants to know how the E.U. farm reform package will impact on improving access to European markets.
"Market access must remain at the heart of the WTO negotiations," said an American trade official.
The E.U. for its part is pressing the Americans to agree to new WTO rules allowing poor countries' easier access to cheap medicines to fight AIDs and other killer diseases.Deutsche Presse-Agentur:
