WTO Looks To Boost Trade, End Global Recession

BRADLEY S. KLAPPER

GENEVA (AP) — The United States, China and other commercial powers will spearhead a new attempt next week to find ways to revive world trade and drag the global economy out of recession.

The World Trade Organization has called trade chiefs from its 153 members to Geneva for the first ministerial conference in four years, at a time when global exports are falling rapidly and the WTO's long-sought Doha liberalization round is limping into its ninth year.

Instead of sensitive tariff and subsidy negotiations, the conference running Monday through Wednesday will focus on the big picture — stabilizing and rejuvenating commerce in the face of increased protectionism, unemployment and exporting of jobs.

In doing so, the WTO hopes to avoid the acrimony and sometimes violent protests that plagued previous ministerial conferences in Seattle in 1999; Cancun, Mexico, in 2003; and Hong Kong in 2005.

"What is needed more than anything in the current economic situation is a platform for ministers to review the functioning of this house," WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy told members earlier this month.

The agenda is split between a review of the trade body's activities and a section entitled the "WTO's contribution to recovery, growth and development." It will address the WTO's monitoring of trade disputes, vigilance against new trade barriers and aid for developing nations.