LDCs unhappy with WTO draft

The only positive take away expected from the WTO meet this week – a package for the 700 million of the world’s poorest people in the Least Developed Countries – is also in danger of being stillborn, as the US continues to claim domestic problems prevent it from granting quota-free, duty-free access to products from the LDCs.

The draft put out today doesn’t give specifics as to how and when such market access will be granted. Dipak Patel, Zambian Trade Minister, representing the LDCs said there are a lot of loopholes in the current text. ‘‘If there is no precision in the language, I’m walking away.’’

Patel said the G-110 nations were shocked at the procrastination and endless best-endeavour rhetoric when ‘‘all that we have wanted over the last ten years is what, when and how we can obtain trade justice. We have found it inconceivable that providing market access to the world’s poorest, who represent less than one per cent of world trade can be delayed.’’ If the LDCs’ concerns are not addressed tonight, they could veto the declaration, even if all other countries agree.