Brazil: Strong reply to U.S. critique on global trade

The U.S. is acting “unfair, unreasonable and irrational” in its demands during the Doha Round of free trade negotiations, declared Brazilian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Roberto Azevedo.

The U.S. is trying to force Brazil into taking a larger role in discussions and convince lesser developed countries (LDCs) to make concessions. Yet Azevedo accused the U.S. and other advanced industrialized nations (AINs) of being uncooperative with LDCs:

“The U.S., the EU, the other developed countries are picking and choosing the provisions of the agriculture text they can live with. On the other hand, they are asking the developing countries to take the (industry) text as a 'take it or leave it' business which is frankly unfair, unreasonable, and irrational…

I can imagine that what they are essentially trying to do is put the blame on the shoulders of others if the round doesn't go forward.”

Brazil is not alone in its criticism of AINs like the U.S. and E.U.; a group of developing countries including India, Argentina, and the African members of the World Trade Organization issued a report rejecting massive cuts in industrial goods tariffs.

Thus, the impasse that has hampered global free trade talks for years appears to continue with no end in sight.

Sources- International Herald Tribune, Reuters, MSNBC, The Latin Americanist

Image- ABC News Online