GENEVA--The United States and Uganda have issued a joint proposal calling for a ban on so-called 'consularization' transactions and fees as part of a future World Trade Organization agreement on trade facilitation.
At the latest WTO negotiations on NAMA, the major developed countries put great pressure on the developing countries to accept drastic cuts in their industrial tariffs.
Groser later told the subcommittee meeting that it was 'inconceivable' that a successful outcome in the Doha agriculture talks can be achieved without serious reform in domestic support and cotton, according to officials in attendance.
Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath said developing countries are alarmed at the 'enormity of farm subsidies in rich countries, which creates artificial prices.
Civic groups plan a series of activities to counter the upcoming negotiations on free trade area (FTA) agreement between Thailand and the United States in Pattaya early next month.
The negotiations have attracted strong opposition and raised concern among many Thai social advocates, trade union and NGO activists, as well as academics and armers.
TWN Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Mar05/8)
Two groupings of developing countries presented statements on aspects of domestic support when week-long negotiations on agriculture resumed at the WTO on 14 March.
