EU trade chief accuses Bush of playing to the gallery

Speaking at the United Nations on Wednesday, Bush said, ‘‘The US was ready to eliminate all tariffs, subsidies and other barriers to the free flow of goods and services as other nations do the same.’’

But Mandelson, in an interview to BBC radio on Thursday night said, while he welcomed such ambition, ‘‘It is easy to make these grandiose commitments. Some will say he is playing to the gallery, and some will say that he is making these sorts of lavish promises in the almost certain knowledge that the rest of the world cannot or won’t follow suit, and therefore he will get a free pass.’’

‘‘There will be very, very many American farmers who will be waking up to hear his words and choking on their cornflakes,’’ he said.

US officials said Bush’s statement was intended only to reaffirm his strong commitment to a successful outcome of the Doha talks, entering a critical period in the run-up to a December meeting of trade ministers in Hong Kong.