World Trade Organization

Cotton Deal Holds Key to WTO Subsidy Row

The Independent | By Philip Thornton | Sept. 12, 2003 EUROPE AND the United States were last night facing a three-pronged attack by some of the world's poorest countries seeking massive concessions as part of a deal to push ahead with an agreement to liberalise free trade.

Agriculture Still the Sticking Point at WTO Talks

Associated Press | By Naomi Koppel | Sept. 12, 2003 Poor nations are standing firm on their demands for big cuts in agricultural subsidies despite criticism that they are offering little in return.

U.S. Races to Break WTO Impasse

Wall Street Journal | By Neil King Jr. and Scott Miller | Sept. 12, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico -- U.S. trade negotiators scrambled to salvage World Trade Organization talks amid mounting opposition from developing countries reluctant to further open their markets to imported food and industrial goods.

Trade Talks Enter Crucial Phase

BBC News | Sept. 12, 2003 World trade talks are hanging in the balance as negotiators attempt to break the deadlock on farm subsidies. As a third day of discussions gets underway in Cancun, Mexico, the United States and Europe is again expected to clash with a bloc of developing nations bent on re-writing world trade rules.

Nations Dig in Their Heels at WTO Face-off

Miami Herald | By Jane Bussey | Sept. 12, 2003 Fissures in the world trade consensus threatened to widen into a chasm at the world trade talks here Thursday as developing countries and industrialized ones hardened their positions on farm subsidies.

African Nations Press for an End to Cotton Subsidies in the West

New York Times | By Elizabeth Becker | Sept. 12, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico, Sept. 11 - The director general of the World Trade Organization said today that he would intervene to address the grievances of four poor African nations whose cotton farmers have been hurt by rich nations' farm subsidies.

World Trade Talks Show Little Progress

Reuters | By Patrick Lannin | Sept. 12, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters) - World trade talks near the half-way stage on Friday with rich and poor nations expected to be presented with a first attempt at compromise although they remain divided over the core issue of how to slash billions of dollars of subsidies to Western farmers.

Southern Senators Weigh in on WTO Cotton Talks

Associated Press | By Jeffrey McMurray | Sept. 12, 2003 WASHINGTON - Three Southern senators have endorsed a proposal by the United States to broaden the scope of this week's World Trade Organization talks, a move they hope will take the focus off subsidies for American cotton growers.

Villagers Caught in GM Food Battle

Reuters | Sept. 12, 2003 VALLE VERDE, Mexico (Reuters) -- Mexican villagers were caught in the cross-fire of the global battle over biotech food on Friday when rival pressure groups at world trade talks scuffled with each other over how best to feed the poor.

WTO Closes Doors to Workers, Environmentalists and Farmers

Teamster Press Release | Sept. 12, 2003 (Cancun, Mexico) - Non-governmental organizations including the Teamsters, the Sierra Club and the American Federation of Teachers were thrown out of Friday's World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting between U.S. trade representatives, a U.S. Congressional delegation and U.S. corporations including Wal-Mart as well as the National Retail Association.