President Bush on Monday vowed to resurrect global trade talks that collapsed last week, even as he complained that other nations “aren’t committed” to reaching an agreement.
“These talks are important talks,” Bush told an audience in Miami. “They have a chance to break down trade barriers around the world.
“They have a chance to expand the flow of commerce,” he said. “And they have a chance to help lift millions of people out of poverty around the world.”
Negotiators gave up on the World Trade Organization’s talks last week in Geneva, Switzerland, after trying to reach a deal for nearly five years. European opposition to cuts in agricultural subsidies effectively scuttled an agreement that would have lowered trade barriers among 149 WTO nations.
“Our government is strongly committed to a successful outcome of the Doha Round,” Bush said. “The problem is, is that some others aren’t committed. Recent discussions broke down.”
In an effort to restart the talks, Bush has directed U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab to aggressively re-engage her counterparts from nations in Europe and elsewhere. Schwab recently returned to Washington from negotiations in Brazil.
Bush said Schwab will urge “our counterparts to be flexible when it comes to achieving fairness when it comes to trade. We’ll do everything we can to get Doha back on track.”
The president’s remarks followed talks he held with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Washington last week.
On Sunday, Blair told a California audience that he and Bush resolved to make “one final effort” to revive the talks.
“Completing the Doha Round is going to demand tough choices,” Bush said. “We’re willing to make those choices. And others nations should, as well.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to jump-start global trade and createopportunities around the world,” he said.
The president’s remarks were part of a broader speech on the strength of the U.S. economy. Bush argued that in order to keep the economy strong, the U.S. has to expand free trade, keep taxes low and pass comprehensive immigration reform.
