Final Report of the High Level Trade Experts Group
A Trade Experts Group set up by the UK, Germany, Turkey and Indonesia has published its final report - “World Trade and the Doha Round”.
The report argues that the Doha Round will die unless global political leaders demonstrate their commitment in the coming months.
Peter Sutherland and Pr Jagdish Bhagwati co-chaired the Experts Group. They were asked to consider the actions needed to combat protectionism and to boost global trade. They believe that ten years of negotiations for the Doha Round have produced the most substantial package of trade liberalisation ever put within reach – and call on national leaders to break the current stalemate and seize this opportunity.
The report argues that the failure of the Doha Round would not only impact on trade, but also on economic confidence, and more widely on stability and global governance. They call specifically on the US and China to help progress the deadlocked negotiations and argue that the concessions that need to be made are relatively small in size and involve limited political pain.
Prime Minister David Cameron with the leaders of Germany, Indonesia and Turkey have written a joint letter, highlighting the report, to Pascal Lamy, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, .
Peter Sutherland, co-chair of the High-Level Trade Experts Group said:
“The message of this report is that the Doha Round of talks is facing imminent failure. Ten years of negotiations has brought a wide ranging package of trade agreements within reach, but without urgent action the prize a conclusion would bring will be lost for all nations. The benefits to be reaped go way beyond the most ambitious liberalisation package ever negotiated and would deliver a huge step forward for global governance, stability and the rule of law. As a group, today we call upon all political leaders to make their contribution now to achieve this deal as there will be no more second chances.”
The report states that open trade promotes the economic growth that has helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty since the Second World War and continues to play a key role today. The authors argue that a resolution would deliver a boost of £110 billion per year to the global economy. The economic argument for a resolution is clear, but the report also notes further benefits for all countries. These include:
- open trade is the most effective peace-keeping policy tool the Community of Nations has used over the past 60 years;
- an agreement on open trade would provide an insurance policy against future protectionism;
- a settlement would reinforce the WTO system and by extension the multilateral institutions also.
Welcoming the report Trade & Investment Minister Lord Green said:
“We thank the Trade Experts Group for their excellent work. The report makes a compelling case for concluding the Doha Round and highlights the need for real political leadership if we are to complete a deal this year. The UK Government recognises that 2011 is the make or break year and will continue to work with its international partners to complete a deal.”
Reaction to the report from Business
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
“We strongly support the report’s call for urgent action to bring the Round to a successful conclusion by the end of 2011.”
“The whole world is talking about growth. What we need is action to kick-start the global economy. A successful conclusion to the negotiations would create jobs, enhance transparency in world trade, and raise living standards throughout the world.”
The business association—which represents companies in over 80 countries—echoed the report’s call for political leaders to make a concerted effort to achieve a deal.
“We call on world leaders to send their negotiators back to Geneva with a clear and definitive mandate to strike an agreement.”
“The question shouldn’t be “deal or no deal”. Even if we fail to bridge the remaining gaps in the talks, there may still be scope to seize some of the gains already on the table. We must not let this opportunity pass.”
European Round table of industrialists
Leif Johansson, Chairman of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT), a forum of around 50 industrial leaders, said.
"A successful outcome to the Doha Development Agenda trade talks would be the most significant contribution governments could make this year to support a return to sustainable, business-led long-term global growth in prosperity...This is why we welcome today’s report of the Expert Group chaired by Peter Sutherland and Professor Jagdish Bhagwati"
"A completely open-ended continuation of Doha negotiations risks dragging out an agreement that could give significant and sustainable global economic impetus at a time when it is badly needed. Success must be possible in 2011. "
TheCityUK
"TheCityUK welcomes the publication of the Final Report of the High Level Trade Experts Group on World Trade and the Doha Round. The Report is a clear call for the completion of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, which has continued for a decade and now needs to be concluded."
