Chamber Decries Breakdown in World Trade Talks

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue issued the following statement regarding the impasse of the World Trade Organization's Doha Development Agenda trade negotiations today in Potsdam, Germany:

"We're sharply disappointed at the news from Potsdam. The United States was almost alone in putting a serious offer on the Doha negotiating table. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns made it clear we were prepared to negotiate, but U.S. ambitions have not been matched.

"A trade deal can only generate prosperity if it generates trade, but the market openings offered by some other key players are insignificant. Our next steps are clear: Congress must approve the pending trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Korea and renew the president's trade negotiating authority, which expires next week. For the sake of American workers, farmers, and businesses, we need to keep pressing for trade deals to open overseas markets.

"We can't take no for an answer. Perhaps a period of reflection will bring other nations back to the table with a will to negotiate in earnest."

John Murphy, the Chamber's vice president for international trade, will be in Geneva next week to press the international community to come back to the table.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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