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In what is being called a “make-or-break” meeting, the latest WTO gathering in Geneva could be the impetus for a new world trade pact. More than 30 trade officials have gathered in the Swiss city for a week-long session of the World Trade Organization that could end the so-called “Doha round” of talks. Associated Press has described the 7 year conflict between rich and poor nations thus: “Developing countries want rich ones to open their markets for food and to cut farm subsidies. In return, rich countries are demanding that developing countries cut tariffs on industrial goods and services.” Now, the European Union has promised to slash farm tariffs by 60%. Even US trade representative Susan Schwab has promised to cut US farm subsidies. The context of these barely-reported talks is on-going global economic insecurity, including rising food and gas prices. Even though the concessions by wealthy nations sound positive, the president of Oxfam America says that “what’s currently on the table falls far short of what is needed and continues to prioritize the interests of rich countries – as locking in big tariff cuts without adequate safeguards in place will only expose poor farmers to more shocks.”

GUEST: Gawain Kripke, policy director with Oxfam

For more information, visit www.oxfamamerica.org.