Thursday, March 20, 2008

Lula optimistic over Doha trade talks

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed hope that the Doha round of global trade talks will move forward. As the Associated Press reported:

"Don't be surprised if very shortly we have an agreement on the Doha Round; that would be very good for the world economy," Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said following a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

Silva said the current political climate was favorable to an agreement in the trade talks named after the Qatar capital where they were launched in 2001.

Barroso concurred with Lula and added that a conclusion to the Doha round would "be very good news for the world economy."

The Doha round has been hurt by disagreement between developed and developing countries over import tariffs and farm subsides. Brazil- along with countries like Argentina and India-has rejected large cuts in industrial goods tariffs.

Sources- Bloomberg, International Herald Tribune, Guardian UK, The Latin Americanist, Xinhua

Image- BBC News (Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks at the 2007 World Economic Forum)

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