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Trade Summit Ends in Disappointment Again

It doesn?t take much to throw a wrench in trade negotiations, and these days one of the most effective wrenches for international economic cooperation has been agriculture tariffs and farm subsidies. In Europe, farm subsidies have often been a source of cantankerous debate between France and her neighbors, but when you add in the rest of the world, it?s obvious that there are likely going to be problems. And as for a recent summit in Geneva, Switzerland, there weren?t any real surprises as far as expectations were concerned. It is to go down as not a total failure, but hardly a success.

About 60 countries recalled their trade ambassadors from the most recent meetings, this led many to openly worry about the future of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which has been a guidepost for international economic cooperation in the wake of the Second World War and the Marshall Plan. Since the issues that usually cause an impasse are predicted well beforehand, isn?t it possible that bilateral relations or talks could lead to some sort of resolution?

Of course, it?s always possible, yes, that this could happen. However, when you?re dealing with countries from all continents on Earth save for Antarctica, and you have the biggest guy on the block, the U.S. of A, fighting for its interests, and France, Russia, Australia and India (among others) are all pursuing their interests, it doesn?t take much to obstruct progress.