The Fate of Doha Development Agenda

Abstract

[The Doha Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, despite the passage of over a decade, remains inconclusive – rather in a stalemate. The progress continues to hinge on the resolution of issues pertaining to Agriculture, Non-Agriculture Market Access and Services as well as balancing of commitments and concessions by the WTO members. The strong positions taken by the US remain as the major hurdle. Considering the US presidential elections in November 2012, the possibility of country’s entering in any meaningful dialogue anytime soon, is remote. The US legislation guaranteeing five-year subsidy to agriculture passed in 2008 is also a bottleneck in early resumption of Talks. The European Union is too stuck in the Euro crisis and may be reluctant to join the negotiations at this stage. While rounds of trade negotiators have lingered on in the past as well and then concluded successfully, the world leaders are so preoccupied with their domestic issues to have the courage and far sight to set aside their narrow interests. Therefore, an early and successful conclusion of the round seems quite difficult. – Eds.]