Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, who is the ranking Republican member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, commented on the June 21 collapse of the World Trade Organization’s Doha Round.
“I am disappointed trade ministers representing Brazil and India walked away from the negotiating table. Their unwillingness to reduce industrial tariffs is unfortunate and remains at odds with the goals of the round,” he said in a statement.
“This is a lost opportunity to lower trade barriers around the world and to liberalize the agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. The United States was willing to make necessary reforms, but Brazil and India were reluctant to make similar efforts to achieve a positive outcome. For the round to be successful, it must create new trade flows in all sectors.”
Also in the statement, Mr. Chambliss thanked U.S. Trade Rep. Susan Schwab and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns for supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers in the negotiations.
According to reports, Dr. Schwab has said that while the outcome of the Doha Round is disappointing, the U.S. is still committed to negotiations.