WTO Misses April 30 Modalities Deadline, Now Aims for June Agreement, NCGA Notes (5-1-06)

World Trade Organization members missed the April 30 deadline for agreement on agricultural and industrial market access modalities for the Doha Round, but they are expected to attempt to extend the deadline to June, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes.

“Reaching an agreement on the modalities is essential to the future success of the Doha Round,” said Rick Tolman, NCGA CEO. “The sooner we complete an agreement on the modalities, the better chance the WTO will have of implementing the Doha Round.”

At the Hong Kong Ministerial in December, WTO members pledged to agree on modalities by April 30. The modalities agreement must be reached before any other part of the WTO talks move forward.

“We can only achieve success if the negotiations produce significant, new market opportunities for trade in agricultural products, manufactured goods, and services,” said Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier. “In all three areas, there must be significant improvements from the actual conditions that currently exist in the markets—not just ‘cuts on paper.’ The United States is prepared to negotiate an agreement that meets that standard.”    

NCGA insists that market access be a critical component of any WTO agreement.

“Trade is important to NCGA, and U.S. corn producers and NCGA hope a successful agreement is reached to the Doha Development Round. Not only is an agreement important for the future of American trade, it’s important for the future of world trade,” Tolman said. “Trade is an important part of the future for the corn growers we represent. We are hopeful the Doha Round ends successfully.”

WTO members have said that an agreement on modalities must be completed by the end of July in order to send the deal to Congress in early 2007 so the agreement can be considered before the expiration of Trade Promotion Authority in July 2007.