MONTREAL -- The United States remains committed to multilateral trade talks, notwithstanding the perception that it has shifted to unilateralism in the wake of the war in Iraq, Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew says.
"I do honestly believe that [U.S. Trade Representative Robert] Zoellick and his administration are truly interested in this [multilateral trade talks]," Mr. Pettigrew told a plenary session of the Conférence de Montréal yesterday.
He said he has not seen "any change" in the U.S. commitment to progress in the Doha round of negotiations among World Trade Organization countries aimed at establishing a new framework for liberalized trade.
On the contrary, "Iraq has strengthened the determination of foreign trade ministers" to succeed at Doha.
Mexico's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis Derbez, conceded that there is growing protectionist sentiment around the world and that it's more important than ever to make the case that all countries -- rich and poor -- stand to benefit from free trade.
He said he is optimistic that the players in the Doha talks are starting to emerge from a cautious "wait-and-see phase," and preparing to put their cards on the table.
Thomas d'Aquino, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, said he has "some very deep concerns" about the commitment of key players -- such as the United States -- to Doha. He cited a recent study indicating that a minority of members of the U.S. Congress claim to be free traders.
Mr. Pettigrew said he does not share some observers' concerns that a free-trade pact of the Americas won't be ready in time for the 2005 ratification deadline because of roadblocks in the Doha round of talks.
"We have nine working groups that are negotiating all the time. They are doing well," he said.
"They are making progress week by week and, in my view, it is still our target date," he told reporters.
Earlier in the day, Enrique Iglesias, president of the Inter-American Development Bank, told a luncheon audience he's optimistic about reaching a hemispheric free-trade agreement, even though issues such as agricultural protectionism are continuing to prove difficult.
"I think the negotiations are moving ahead according to what is expected," Mr. Iglesias said at a news conference.
"Of course, the issues are not simple, particularly agriculture."
However, he conceded that "the timing may not be reached as projected but it's important to continue."
On Monday, the secretary-general of the Organization of American States warned that it will be difficult to advance the agenda for a free-trade area of the Americas (FTAA) because the Doha round of WTO talks has fallen behind schedule.
The Doha round was also scheduled to be completed by 2005.
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