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Trade specialists are unlikely to expect Bush's challenge being taken up but the attention he gave to trade in his speech could spur attention to the World Trade Organization talks on trade and development, known as the Doha Round. ``The United States is ready to eliminate all tariffs, subsidies and other barriers to free flow of goods and services as other nations do the same,'' Bush told other leaders. ``The elimination of trade barriers could lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty over the next 15 years.'' Bush said the stakes were high for a successful conclusion to the Doha talks, which aims to lower trade barriers for everything from agricultural goods to services and promote economic growth in the poorest countries. He devoted a three paragraphs to Doha in the 25-minute speech.
EXTRACT A successful Doha Round will reduce and eliminate tariffs and other barriers on farm and industrial goods. It will end unfair agricultural subsidies. It will open up global markets for services. Under Doha, every nation will gain, and the developing world stands to gain the most. Historically, developing nations that open themselves up to trade grow at several times the rate of other countries. The elimination of trade barriers could lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty over the next 15 years. The stakes are high. The lives and futures of millions of the world's poorest citizens hang in the balance -- and so we must bring the Doha trade talks to a successful conclusion. Doha is an important step toward a larger goal: We must tear down the walls that separate the developed and developing worlds. We need to give the citizens of the poorest nations the same ability to access the world economy that the people of wealthy nations have, so they can offer their goods and talents on the world market alongside everyone else. We need to ensure that they have the same opportunities to pursue their dreams, provide for their families, and live lives of dignity and self-reliance. And the greatest obstacles to achieving these goals are the tariffs and subsidies and barriers that isolate people of developing nations from the great opportunities of the 21st century. Today, I reiterate the challenge I have made before: We must work together in the Doha negotiations to eliminate agricultural subsidies that distort trade and stunt development, and to eliminate tariffs and other barriers to open markets for farmers around the world. Today I broaden the challenge by making this pledge: The United States is ready to eliminate all tariffs, subsidies and other barriers to free flow of goods and services as other nations do the same. This is key to overcoming poverty in the world's poorest nations. It's essential we promote prosperity and opportunity for all nations. RELATED: Success of Doha Round trade talks dependent on EU/US agreement on farm product import tariff cuts Doha round of global trade talks may be “on the verge of failure”
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