Source:
APL'AQUILA, Italy (AP) -- Leaders of rich and developing nations want to finish a long-delayed world trade deal in 2010 and head off trade wars that could hit world economies as they struggle to emerge from the recession, according to a draft of a joint declaration obtained by The Associated Press.
Completing the so-called Doha round of talks has risen up the agenda due to fears that the economic crisis will lead to an upsurge in protectionist policies like the ones that helped cause the Great Depression of the 1930s.
"We reaffirm our commitment to maintain and promote open markets and reject all protectionist measures in trade and investment," according to a draft of the joint statement signed by 17 nations, including the Group of Eight industrialized countries and five key emerging market economies.
The global trade talks, which were initially to conclude in 2004, have been beset by difficulties and at a standstill for months. A deal would cut goods tariffs and subsidies around the world.
The leaders asked trade ministers to meet prior to the Group of 20 meeting of developing and rich countries in September in Pittsburgh, according to the draft. The final document is to be released later in the day.
Raising barriers to imports was an important factor that contributed to the world economic crisis of the 1930s. Governments, including the United States with its Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, sought to protect domestic businesses and farmers by blocking imports. Trade withered as a result.
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BEWARE OF DOHA!
Obama Approval Drops by Double Digits in Ohio Poll
July 7 (Bloomberg) -- A new poll found that President Barack Obama’s approval rating has dropped by 13 percentage points from two months ago in Ohio, traditionally a critical swing state in presidential elections.
The survey by Quinnipiac University released today showed 49 percent of Ohio voters approved of Obama’s job performance, down from 62 percent in a May 6 poll. The disapproval figure for Obama in the new poll was 44 percent, up from 31 percent in the May survey.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aZMUgRYN_PlEThe thing Ohionians hate more than anything on Earth? TRADE AGREEMENTS! Do you know what DOHA is? It's a TRADE AGREEMENT!
If the Obama administration want's to see that approval number drop down to the low 20's.. just do DOHA!