Trade Negotiations Insights • Volume 7 • Number 6 • July 2008
Editorial
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As we head into summer months, the weather is not the only thing warming up. Trade negotiations see hitting the headlines with increasing frequency, a sense of urgency driving the debate into the public domain: the Doha Round of global trade talks seems to be veering towards a potential climax, with revised negotiating texts issued on July 10 and WTO chief Pascal Lamy announcing a crunch meeting for ministers in Geneva on July 21.
Given that many see this get-together as the last opportunity to salvage a deal before the US heads into presidential elections and a change of administration in 2009, all eyes are firmly fixed on the outcome. Political leaders are voicing optimism and trying to steer the talks towards a satisfactory outcome, while trade negotiators work behind the scenes to try to narrow the remaining gaps.
The annual meeting of G8 leaders in Japan at the start of July was the perfect stage to discuss trade and how it can improve lives in developing countries. Over the course of three days, eight of the world’s most powerful politicians tried to forge solutions on rising oil prices, the global food crisis, the environment, global warming and the Doha Round. Leaders from seven African states and other major emerging economies, including China and India, also participated in the talks making it the largest gathering in the event’s 33 year history.
“We are deeply concerned that the steep rise in global food prices coupled with availability problems in a number of developing countries is threatening global food security,” the G8 leaders said in a joint statement. “The negative impacts of this recent trend could push millions more back into poverty, rolling back progress made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” they added.
TNI has tried to reflect the public interest in these important questions. Luisa Rodriquez addresses the hot topic of food and energy security, while Jacob Kotcho and Martin Abega look at what is at stake in terms of agriculture and development in the EPAs.
Indeed, the EPA negotiations are no less sizzling than those taking place at the multilateral level. The recent release of a report commissioned by the new President of the EU Council, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been little less than controversial. Nicolas Mombrial leads this month’s issue with an overview of the so-called ‘Taubira report’ and assesses the implications for the future of the EPAs. One question that continues to arise is whether there are any convincing alternatives to EPAs. In a bid to tackle this topic, MEP Helmuth Markov, weighs up different trade preference systems and considers whether Europe should reconsider its trade policy agenda altogether.
This month sees the TNI team publishing a joint July / August issue and would like to take this opportunity to encourage all those who may have a spare moment over the summer to consider a contribution to the publication. As usual, all comments, questions or feedback can be sent to vhanson@ictsd.ch
We hope you enjoy the July / August issue of TNI.
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