September 30, 2006	Saturday	Ramazan 6, 1427

WASHINGTON, Sept 29: European Union trade chief Peter Mandelson on Friday wrapped up three days of “exploratory” meetings with US leaders aimed at reviving the WTO’s stalled drive to tear down commercial barriers.

The British EU commissioner said he had held “quiet exploratory discussions” with top US administration officials, senior members of Congress and industry leaders.

“We face a tough challenge to bring the Doha round to a successful timely conclusion. I believe that the US administration is committed to this, and so am I,” he said in a statement.

The World Trade Organisation’s Doha round of negotiations was suspended in July over an impasse between the EU and United States over agricultural reform.

There has been little movement since with the two leading trading powers and developing countries showing scant desire to compromise.

But Mandelson said: “I hope that this visit will give us renewed energy to work together to get it done, by showing flexibility ourselves and persuading others to do likewise.”Mandelson insists the United States must move first on cutting its farm subsidies and that developing players must offer greater access to their industrial markets. But his detractors say it is up to the EU to offer greater concessions in agriculture.

During his stay, Mandelson met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, along with senior lawmakers.

He also held talks with the heads of lobby groups representing US farming, manufacturing and business interests.

After separate meetings with both Mandelson and Schwab, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) president John Engler said “I believe the stalemate can be broken”.

Schwab was ready to move if World Trade Organisation partners offer more to the United States in agricultural market access, he said.—AFP