Trade ministers from over 100 nations along with thousands of negotiators gather in Hong Kong this week under the auspices of the World Trade Organization for a round of talks that was intended to boost the economic interests of the developing world by reshaping global trading rules. It is clear now the negotiations will go nowhere, almost entirely because of a paralyzing dispute between the United States and Europe. Neither side is capable of overcoming objections from its farm subsidy lobby to significant reform of costly, protectionist agriculture policies.
Areas of Focus
