New York: Accusing a "handful" of "advanced developing countries" of "masking" their "narrow interests" behind claims for speaking for the rest of the developing world, the US said it is concerned the way trade negotiations are moving ahead of crucial talks for concluding Doha round.

"It is basically the case of the elephant hiding behind the mice," US Trade Representative Susan Schwab told reporters yesterday, stressing that recent developments have moved the negotiations towards less balanced outcome than Washington can support.

Schwab did not name the countries but her reference to India and China was quite clear as they are among the nations seeking reduction in US farm subsidies which they contend distort trade and put the farmers in developing countries at disadvantage. The United States is currently in the process of approving a massive new farm subsidies bill.

Maintaining that the US is committed to conclusion of the Doha round of trade negotiations during the current year, she warned that agreement will not come at any price. Both developing and advanced developing countries need to make contribution in opening up the markets, she stressed.

"I can tell you frankly, we are concerned about the directions the Doha negotiations are making at Geneva," she said, opposing new drafts on agriculture and manufacturing.

Of particular concern is the "continued" unwillingness of a "handful" of "advanced developing countries" to make meaningful market access contribution as a part of the round that are commensurate with their stake in global trading system and benefits they derive from it, she said.

"Nearly 70 per cent of tariff paid by developing countries are paid to other developing countries and therefore, market access contribution on the part of advanced developing countries are critical to benefiting developing and developed countries alike," Schwab said.

"These countries mask their narrow interests behind claims of speaking for the rest of the developing world when in fact there are developing countries that are very much pro-ambition in this round and their voices are being drowned," she said.

Replying a question, she said the United States does not think that they are ready for a ministerial meeting on the issue. "I think we've got some more work to do."

She also asserted that the US is committed to see a successful conclusion of the Doha round in the current year but wanted that it would not come at any price.

"A successful breakthrough in the coming weeks is only going to be possible if we find negotiating path that leads to real market opening contributions by both developed and advanced developing countries," the US trade envoy said.

She said the new drafts on agriculture and manufacturing "are disappointing because they do not move us closer to a deal that will contribute to economic growth and development."

The texts, she said, shift the market from opening markets to negotiating about exceptions and exclusions.

Source : PTI