Controversial WTO text proposed

The first draft of the statement* for the World Trade Organisation's next ministerial meeting in Cancun was circulated to governments on 18 July and immediately sparked controversy from members and civil society around the world.

The statement is heavily criticised for being biased towards developed countries and for not representing the breadth of disagreement in several areas.

For example, developing countries have voiced their concerns over GATS, partly due to the inability of their small service providers to compete with multinational giants. Despite having expressed these views in the negotiations, the paragraph in the statement on services ignores their questions, calls on all members to submit offers and to improve upon existing offers with the aim of concluding the negotiations.

Critics say the text is an attempt to railroad through the wishes of powerful interest groups.

*Each WTO ministerial meeting ends with an agreed statement of what is to be acheived before the next meeting.

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