May 4, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1427

GENEVA, May 3: Sluggish WTO talks on tearing down global barriers to commerce are facing a moment of truth in the coming six weeks, US Trade Representative Rob Portman said on Wednesday.

Portman said Brussels must offer more access to its agricultural markets to help steer the negotiations to a successful conclusion.

“Ultimately, the gains (from the Doha Round) will come from liberalising trade, opening markets and knocking down barriers,” Portman said.

“I think we need to get back to that truth. The next four to six weeks will be the moment of truth,” as negotiators try to make up for lost time after missing an April 30 deadline for a deal on the mathematics of cutting trade barriers, he said.—AFP