Date:31/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/31/stories/2006053106181500.htm

Business

U.S. firm on farm subsidy issue

pecial Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The U.S. is looking forward to a "meaningful response'' from other developed countries like the European Union to its offer for cutting farm subsidies at the Doha round of trade talks. Describing the offer made in October last as providing for "substantial cuts'' in domestic support to agriculture, a senior U.S. trade diplomat indicated that it was not likely to be improved further.

Briefing newspersons, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia said the offer envisaged substantial market opening by the EU and Japan. He said the offer was the most ambitious one so far and a meaningful response was awaited from developed country partners. Mr. Bhatia's comments come shortly after the EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has urged the U.S. to revive the Doha round of trade negotiations by improving its offer of last October.