G8 injects new momentum in Doha Round push

By Laura MacInnis and Darren Ennis - Analysis

GENEVA/ROME (Reuters) - The world's most powerful countries have injected momentum into long-running negotiations over a new global free trade pact by setting a 2010 deadline.

Diplomats said they expected a full calendar of meetings between trade ministers and other officials in the coming months in response to the new target date for completion of the Doha round announced by the G8 plus leading emerging states.

"Things are going to be very busy," said one developing country diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

But some questioned whether the WTO's 153 members were ready to make new offers to clinch a Doha Round accord, which would cut subsidies and import duties on traded goods and services and help developing states export more.

The communique from the Group of Eight rich nations plus China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico signaled some high-level willingness to wrap up a deal that has stagnated over disagreements about how to treat certain industries and farmers.

Several negotiators said the United States and India, which caused a July 2008 WTO ministerial meeting to fail because of a disagreement over protections for poor-country farmers, needed to show they were willing to make new offers.

"The U.S. position is not clear yet, nor is the extent to which India can offer more," said a trade official from a developed economy, who asked not to be named. Both countries have had a change of government since last year's collapse.

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