Doha trade negotiators wait for America

By Jonathan Lynn - Analysis

GENEVA (Reuters) - Leaders of the major economies have called for a new global trade pact next year, but in Geneva negotiators say there is little prospect of a Doha deal until the United States signals clearly it is ready to move.

The diplomatic calendar is filling up with meetings of heads of state and ministers who will have the opportunity to renew pledges to conclude a world trade deal and fight protectionism.

The G8 rich nations and biggest emerging economies agreed at their summit last week in Italy to conclude the World Trade Organisation's long-running Doha round in 2010 to help revive the world economy.

In a series of meetings in recent months, new U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk has emphasised that the Obama White House wants to work with American trade partners towards a deal.

But besides a call for big emerging countries like Brazil, India and China to open up their markets more, Kirk has given little indication of how the administration, which is still conducting a review of trade policy, sees the talks evolving.

"Everybody is waiting to see what the United States does," said the WTO ambassador of a major emerging country.

"The general perception is that this round is in deep freeze unless the United States begins to thaw it."

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