EU and US attempt to break trade deadlock
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The rise of protectionism is a key danger to the world economy this year, the head of the European Central Bank said yesterday as leaders of the EU and US met in Washington to find a way to restart the global trade talks.
Jean-Claude Trichet condemned the trend to more protectionism in trade and foreign investment that emerged in both economic blocs last year.
His comments came as George Bush and José Manual Barroso, the presidents of the US and the European Commission, held talks to find a breakthrough in the trade negotiations that collapsed in July over farm subsidies after five years of talks.
President Bush said the best way to help impoverished nations was to complete the Doha round of talks, named after the Qatar capital where they were launched in November 2001.
After the two-hour meeting Mr Barroso said the two sides were at a "defining moment" for the negotiations and it was critical to complete them soon.
Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, and Susan Schwab, the US Trade Representative, were also holding talks yesterday.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments