Brazil's Foreign Affairs Minister, Celso Amorim, said that developed nations' agricultural subsidies and tariff barriers for farm goods remain the biggest obstacle to an agreement on the long-stalled Doha round of World Trade Organization talks.

"The text made no advances in terms of market access; the latest proposals are too vague and may represent a step back for Doha talks." Amorim said, following a meeting of ministers from Mercosur, to prepare for talks in Geneva next week.

"Our common position is that the motor is agriculture and the velocity has not yet been defined," said Amorim talking for the group. Brazil holds Mercosur chair in the second half of 2008.

The talks have been on a long stalemate because of a standoff between developing nations - which want more access for their agricultural products in the United States, the European Union and Japan - and rich nations, which want more access for their industrial goods and services in the developing world.

Amorim said the latest proposal would allow more products in developed nations to be subjected to tariffs than in earlier agreements and is too vague about what level of agricultural subsidies would be allowed.

His remarks contrasted with a more positive view offered Monday by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

In his weekly radio program, Silva said he believed the developed nations were prepared to cede ground if poorer nations opened their markets to industrial goods and services.

The Rio meeting was convened by Brazil to "coordinate" positions among Mercosur members ahead of next week's meeting of trade ministers in Geneva. Besides Amorim, Argentina was represented by Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana, Paraguay by deputy minister Didier Olmedo and Uruguay, Deputy minister Pedro Vaz.

Mercopress

Comments (5)

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"no advances in terms of market access; the latest proposals are too vague and may represent a step back for Doha talks."
written by ch.c., 2008-07-16 18:18:28

Developed nations say the same to the emerging nations..... FOR THE NON AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES !!!!!

Knowing that the NON AGRICULTURAL sectors have a far higher weighting in the GDP even in the emerging nations, saying the agricultural sector is THE problem....is obviously a pure LIE !!!

Cars/trucks/tractors/harvesters made in Brazil by foreign firms are TO AVOID A STIFF IMPORT TAX !!!!
And they benefit from the BNDES subsidizes !

Therefore the same should occur in developed nations : should Brazilians wish to produce grains or ethanol IN developed nations, YOU are welcome to invest and produce HERE and will also benefit from our subsidizes !!!!

This is called RECIPROCAL TRADE - TAX LAWS !!!!

Was the word RECIPROCITY included in the Brazilian Dictionary ?????

I bet not !

Fact being that without the developed and advanced INPUTS goods...Brazil COULD NOT compete for the OUTPUT goods you produce !!!!
More simple there is not.

A dumbass could understand this. But of course not a brazilian !
More simple there is not.

C.Ch, a joke
written by MRB, 2008-07-20 15:08:10

C. Ch.,
I think you're a joke!
I think you completely missed the point here. We are not talking about the American industries located in Brazil. If you want, you can go away. Brazil has its own industries already and you're there to profit from Brazil, not to benefit it. The subsidies the US gives their agriculture is because of the low competitiveness it has in the external market. Poor guy!
You know I'm Brazilian, I've lived in the US, now I live in this blessed land called Brazil, and I don't like the lifestyle you have in the US. You are too consumist and vain.
I just happened to take a look at some of the opinions people have here and I thought you sounded quite stupid.
Tell me something wise guy:
Would you say the US is a democratic country?
I mean there are very few american people who can tell me why the US has been attacked recently not only with bombs and other physical threats but also in the international press. The public opinion in the US is completely unaware of the reasons for so much hate against the country. The international media says one thing and theUS media creates its own reality to be broadcasted and believed by 99% of their public. The fact is that the US cause a lot of damage, suffering and death throughout the world.
You have to know that the US companies located in poor countries transfer a huge amount of resources by exploiting the third world workmanship and raw materials and impoverishing billions of people worldwide. Billions of people around the world starve to death because of the US. I think these companies should stop corrupting 3rd world governments, financing campaigns, controlling the media and trying to keep people unaware of their own being exploited. And you should stop being so many preconceived ideas.

The World
written by Brett, 2008-08-22 17:55:15

To both of the previous comments

The World
written by Brett, 2008-08-22 18:14:38

It is unfair to blame either Brazil's government or it's people and it is equally unfair to blame America's government and it's people. Subsidies aren't black and white, they have many benefits. They help insulate the poor farmer and keep domestic product stable. They also keep developing nations from gaining decent profits for thei goods.

Brett, brett, brett...
written by MRB, 2008-08-26 01:37:52

Brett,
What do you mean "it's unfair to blame the american government"? Do you think they deserve a medal for being so good? What if someone told you "it's unfair to blame your mother for giving birth to you"?

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