Alleging that some key global players were acting as a roadblock in international trade negotiations, a top US trade official said on Wednesday that the success or failure of the Doha Round depends on countries like India, China and Brazil.
"Today, the key roadblock is the continued resistance of some important partners to engage in sustained, meaningful negotiations," said US Deputy Trade Representative Demetrois Marantis during his speech at the 25th annual World Trade Day in Rhode Island.
"The success or failure of the Doha Round depends on whether advanced developing countries like China, India and Brazil accept the responsibility that comes along with their growing roles in the global economy," he said.
The Obama administration is gearing up to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2011.
"It has been nearly two decades since we last hosted the APEC - a grouping that includes 21 economies which, today, represent more than half the global economic output and almost half the world trade," he said.
"We have an exciting opportunity to better integrate our economies by cutting red tape, dismantling trade barriers, and promoting trade in clean energy goods and services," he added.
"Through 2011, we will also take APEC to Americans by holding a series of ministerial and senior officials meetings around the country, including a meeting of ministers responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises," Marantis said.
The US is also moving forward on other trade initiatives.
"Three pending US free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama are also important opportunities to grow well-paying jobs here at home. That is why USTR is working to address outstanding concerns with these agreements and find ways to move them forward," he said.
"On the free trade agreement with Panama, we have engaged in extensive discussions with Panama on unresolved labor and tax transparency issues. Several labour reforms are already in force," he said.
With encouragement from the United States, the Colombian government has already taken a number of steps to address issues relating to violence against unionists, besides concerns regarding its labour law regime.
"Our trade agreement with Korea promises the most economic and jobs potential. We are consulting with Congress and other US stakeholders to determine how best to address outstanding concerns and move forward," Marantis said.
