INSTANT ANALYSIS: Implications of the failure of WTO talks

GENEVA (Reuters) - Ministers from about 35 countries have failed to make a breakthrough in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha round to open up global trade.

Here are the implications for trade and the WTO, according to economists, diplomats and officials.

THE TALKS

* The deal broke down over a relatively obscure but complicated proposal to protect farmers in developing countries from a surge in imports.

* No one expected the "special safeguard mechanism" (SSM) to be the rock on which the talks foundered.

* If the Doha round is suspended indefinitely it is unlikely it can be brought back to life -- the agenda has changed since the launch in 2001 with the rise of China, a jump in commodity prices and concerns about climate change.

* But ministers may opt to come back after the summer break for one last roll of the dice.

* A new administration taking over next year in Washington after November's election, changes next year in the European Union's executive Commission and a likely election in India in the near future could also set new priorities for trade.

TRADE AND THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM