07/26/06 Wheat industry on Doha suspension

Farm and Ranch July 26, 2006 Leaders of the U.S. wheat industry have expressed concern over the suspension this week of the Doha round of world trade negotiations but also offered their continued support for the ambitious proposal put forth by the U.S. last fall. Dale Schuler, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers, said they are sorry to see the talks delayed, but are pleased that U.S. negotiators held their ground when meaningful commitments on market access and other trade-distorting polices were not offered by our trading partners. In addition to the importance of market access, the wheat industry has been the leader in working to eliminate the monopolistic practices of export state trading enterprises (STE) through trade negotiations. Due to the suspension of the talks, any action on that important issue will also have to be delayed. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said only by completing the Doha Round negotiations by the end of 2006 would the agreement be ready in time for the U.S. to use Trade Promotion Authority before it expires in July of 2007. So with suspension of the negotiations. Schwab: "At this stage of the game we do not expect to be able to use the current TPA authority to enact a Doha Round agreement, if and when one comes together." And while Congress could renew TPA, the up or down vote process, there may not be the votes for its renewal and without that authority, it will be difficult for any new trade deal to be negotiated. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.