The developed world continued attempts to create a divide among developing countries. But they have so far stuck together even as G-20 and G-90 nations are meeting again tomorrow to deliver a ‘strong and substantive statement.’The EU, for instance, today offered to increase its imports of beef by 800,000 tonnes, expected to benefit countries like Brazil. Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, however, dismissed the offer stating that even if it benefits Brazil, the developing countries’ priorities were of primary importance to him.Slamming the EU offer on cuts in domestic support for farmers, Amorim said it didn’t match the US offer.Negotiations among WTO members that went on till late last night, was not without results, said Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath. ‘‘The divergent views on Agricultural and NAMA issues that have been aired by all members, were put on paper. Starting tonight, these divergences would be discussed, in an attempt to narrow gaps.’’Nath was speaking at a briefing of G-20 nations, where trade ministers again called the US and EU to set a date for eliminating export subsidies. Though it would not be sufficient to move talks forward, ‘‘it would allow us to have a sense of when this albatross will finally move away from our farmers’ heads,’’ the G-20 ministers noted.Incidentally, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said, ‘‘The EU’s export subsidies are clear and unambiguous, unlike subsidies of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.’’ He indicated that unless other rich nations clarified their export subsidies and set an end-date first, the EU wouldn’t do so.
