World Trade Talks Begin in Geneva

(21 July 08 - RV) Top trade officials began a make-or-break session of world trade talks today, haunted by failed efforts in 2006 and 2007 and concern over whether the United States can deliver on a deal. The United States said it was prepared to cut farm subsidies to secure a global trade deal but called on big emerging countries like India, Brazil and China to play their part too.
World Bank President Robert Zoellick has called the meeting "now or never" for the Doha round, which was launched nearly seven years ago with goals to cut farm subsidies and tariffs and to help developing countries prosper through trade. We spoke with Claire Melamed of the British charity Actionaid, who told us that any new global trade deal will not solve the world’s food crisis and is likely only to exacerbate poverty and hunger.