The European Commission tabled new European Community proposals at the World Trade Organization (WTO) last week, relating to the current round of negotiations for the determination of future tariffs of international trade. The so-called “Doha Round” which ought to be concluded by the end of next year is currently taking place on three separate tables (respectively agriculture, services and industrial products), on which the positions are often diverging. The most controversial aspect is undoubtedly agriculture, which is characterised by a sharp opposition on two fronts: first, between the EU and the African countries favourable to a lowering of tariff barriers for imports to facilitate access to markets; and second, within the member states of the EU themselves, with France at the head of the current defending the massive state and/or Community subsidies to European farmers. According to the Commissioners for trade Mandelson and for agriculture Fischer Boel, the global proposal of the Executive aspires to “permit the members of the WTO to converge on an agreement for the farm negotiations”. Whereas no particular problems are registered on the industrial and services package, the agricultural round threatens to delay the conclusion of the whole negotiation: it is for this reason and to satisfy world partners that the Commission is proposing a sharp reduction of European tariffs together with (for example) the total elimination, on conditions of reciprocity, of any subsidies on EU exports. For further information, consult the website http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/index_en.htm
