U.S. Chamber to Lead Trade Delegation to Europe

Business Community Reaffirms Commitment to Doha Round

WASHINGTON, D.C.—To demonstrate continuing resolve for an ambitious outcome from the Doha Round of trade negotiations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will lead a delegation of representatives from major U.S. manufacturers and service providers on a three day trade mission, beginning October 27, with stops in Berlin, Brussels, and Geneva.

"While the pulse may be weak, we are not about to give up on the long-running Doha negotiations," said Christopher Wenk, the U.S. Chamber's senior director for International Policy and a member of the business delegation. "Only new thinking can break the logjam of the past eight years, and only a strong agreement will provide a real stimulus to global economic growth and living standards."

"This exercise is not intended to upend the progress to date," Wenk continued. "Rather, the aim is to help all WTO members gauge what is on the table. More importantly, this exercise will help businesses better gauge what is on the table."

"Ambassador Ron Kirk is absolutely right to seek greater clarity on whether the offers on the table will create real new market access," Wenk said. "Making clear what workers and farmers stand to gain will help all WTO members and the business community to rally support for a final deal."

The Doha Development Agenda (DDA) is a multilateral effort to encourage increased trade by negotiating lower tariffs and international subsidies to cultivate more open global markets.

Already, more than 57 million Americans work for companies that benefit from exports, and the University of Michigan has estimated that a one-third cut to international trade barriers could raise the income of the average American family by an additional $2,500 a year.

The U.S. Chamber 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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