Wednesday, July 13 2005 15:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dalian: US and European Union officials today (July 13, 2005) considered a tariff-cut proposal from developing nations that want to boost their agricultural exports.

Meanwhile, trade negotiators sought consensus ahead of crucial world trade talks in December.

US Trade Representative Rob Portman has praised the suggested framework from the 'Group of 20' - poorer nations that are pressing Europe for access to its markets for farm products. Australia and other big agricultural exporters also have backed the idea.

"There does seem to be a sense of urgency and a continued high level of ambition," Portman said.

Trade officials from 30 nations meeting this week in Dalian, China, are trying to give the World Trade Organization's Doha round of trade talks new momentum ahead of a key meeting in Hong Kong in December.

The Doha round, which began in the Qatari capital in 2001, aims to slash subsidies, tariffs and other barriers to global commerce.

The WTO hopes to reach at least partial agreements ahead of further talks in Geneva at the end of July and the WTO conference in Hong Kong in December.

European Union Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel also welcomed the G-20 proposal as a "good basis for further work to be done."