It wasn't that long ago that we were being told that the long running WTO Doha Round had to be finished this year to avoid being caught up in the chaos of a US Presidential race (Bush no longer has his negotiating authority - "fast track" as it is known). Yet apparently WTO Ambassadors agreed on Friday Geneva time to role the negotiations over into 2008. What is going on? And why don't we here anything about this in the New Zealand media?
The Hive understands that NZ's WTO Ambassador is going to be back home in a couple of weeks to speak at a seminar being organised by the new Centre for International Economic Law at VUW's Law School. We will try and find out more then. [Update 6/12/07 - the organisers have advised that Crawford Falconer is now not going to be able to attend the seminar but will send a video of his speech and will phone in for the Q&A session. This may still allow room for a direct read out on negotiations.]
Trade Minister (and Labour Party Leader in waiting) Phil Goff is also due to brief his so called "Advisory Group" this week. The Hive is in regular contact with Phil O'Rielly and other participants so will try and find out more. [Update 5/12/07 - Goff was apparently far from convincing in his optimism, but continued to see a prospect for an outcome in 2008. Non Agriculture Market access was seen as the big problem at present.]
As far as we can tell we have pretty minimal outcomes on the table for agriculture and manufactured goods. Nothing on services, and a big fight brewing on the rules that apply to dumped and subsidised goods. Sorry, but this doesn't sound good. We are not WTO experts here at The Hive, but we do know about US politics. There is no way that the US will give one inch on anti-dumping, or much on anything else in election year.
