Key Players And Issues In Doha Talks

The Doha round talks has a variety of key issues and key players involved in each round of talks. These various issues are very sensitive and often result in dispute as each player has conflicting intentions.
On the 1st of January 1995, heavy weight key players, the United States of America, Japan and the European Union, joined the WTO. Although developing countries represent 2/3 of the 158 member states of the WTO, key players which have a large scale developed economies are able to dominate many issues. Yet the power of these countries can stimulate clashes and disagreements on reaching reasonable and equally favourable outcomes. For example, on the 1st of April 2011, the United Sates proposed anti-dumping measures to be inforced on imports of stainless steel sheet and strip in coils from Italy. The European Union opposed this idea and appealed for consultations with the United States “due to the application of the “zeroing methodology”, allegedly made by the US Department of Commerce”. (www.wto.org)
Additionally, developing countries such as China (who joined WTO on the 11th of December 2001), Brazil and India (both of whom joined the WTO on the 1st of January 1995), also have an ample amount of power in relation to decision making processes. The scale of these countries allow them to take on other key players such as the US, EU and Japan when they oppose their requests. For example in April 2009, China seeked inquiry into procedures taken by United States affecting the import of poultry products from China. In July 2009, a panel was formed in order to mediate the case. Although various violations were found “it did not recommend that the DSB requests the United States to bring the measure at issue (Section 727) into conformity” (www.wto.org).

One of the main issues in relation to Doha round trade talks is agriculture. Negotiations in agriculture began in 2000 and were introduced to the Doha round in 2001.Proposals to the issue were submitted by 121 government bodies. A declaration was formed stating the goals of the talks in order to “establish a fair and market orientated trading system” (www.wto.org). The negotiations were aimed at market access, export subsidies and domestic support. This declaration promotes equal and favourable treatment of developing countries. Another foremost issue is Trade and Environment. Countries have been disputing over establishing a more accessible market for environmental goods and services i.e. air pollution, waste management, water waste treatment, renewable energy, etc. Diminishing the barriers of trade will aid countries abilities to acquire a high calibre of environmental amenities. Countries are in the process of evaluating which environmental good is most beneficial for their economy. Furthermore, Adherence between trade and environmental regulations is very topical mainly due to the need for countries to oblige the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA’s) and create better communications on the issue in order “to enhance the mutually supportive relationship of the trade and environment regimes” ( www.wto.org ). This should enhance negotiations between the WTO and the MEA’s. Trade facilitation is also very important for both developing and developed countries as it aims to ameliorate access to goods and services globally by lessening trade restrictions and promoting growth. Negotiations regarding the liberalisation of trade in services are still underway with the General agreement on Trade in services (GATS) incurring a decree on member states of the WTO to combine their efforts to reach equally beneficial conclusions. Suggestions have been made by WTO members regarding the format and contents of the negotiations in order to improve trading conditions in the various divisions. However proposals have currently “moved onto the request-offer process” (www.wto.org). The Council for Trade in Services must be present for every debate which occures. Essentially, this is the body responsible for over-seeing all negotiations and must be informed of any subsidiary members actions. These include the Working Party on Domestic Regulation and the Working Party on GATS rules.