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World Economic Forum Ends, But Will It Lead to Resumption of Trade
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Talks?
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16001D1:A6F02AD83191E160E0B690F01FC2A1969574F7DCC14957C0 ActionAid
skeptical of potential benefits to developing countries The World
Economic Forum has ended on an optimistic note that there may be a
quick resumption of global trade talks. The talks collapsed last July
when the United States, European Union and developing countries failed
to reach agreement on agricultural tariffs and subsidies.

Alex Wijeratna, a trade policy specialist for the NGO ActionAid,
monitored developments in Davos, Switzerland. From London, he spoke to
VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe De Capua about the chances
for a resumption of trade talks.

“It looks hesitant and slightly reluctant from the developing country
point of view. We know that a lot of the African countries really felt
they were sidelined and neglected and that their interests really
weren’t coming to the fore in what was being discussed in Davos….
We’re warning this is a dangerous thing at this stage,” he says.

Why dangerous? Wijeratna says, “The deal that’s emerging is actually
not a deal that will really tackle poverty. And that’s the big, big
sticking point. It’s really not going to be a benefit to lots of the
poorest countries worldwide. And it will be presented as something
that will be beneficial, but a lot of the developing countries know
that actually they’re being asked to open up their markets for
essentially peanuts. So, we’re saying at this stage be very tentative
about getting into these final end game negotiations.”

The ActionAid trade expert says the big issues are still agricultural
tariffs and subsidies. He says Brazil and India are also big players
in negotiations on these issues and may be interested in working out a
deal with the United States and EU.


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