Delors angered by attacks over Gatt
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRUSSELS - Jacques Delors, President of the EC Commission, yesterday attacked Michael Heseltine for implying he was blocking a Gatt deal. The outburst showed how tempers are fraying as the hoped-for breakthrough in the world trade talks and fails to materialise, writes Sarah Lambert.
'I am primus inter pares in the Commission,' Mr Delors said in London after a summit with Eastern European leaders. 'Tell that to Mr Heseltine.' The President of the Board of Trade said Mr Delors had 'divided loyalties' over the Gatt, since his native France fears a deal would hurt its farming community. But Mr Delors emphasised he was one of four Commissioners involved in negotiations, and that the Council of Ministers - national representatives - had given them their mandate.
Mr Delors is attracting an ever- more hostile press, deepening the impressions of a rift within the Commission. His spokesman, denied yesterday that Mr Delors was reluctant to conclude a trade agreement.
EC officials continued to express optimism that a deal was imminent. Ray MacSharry, the EC Commissioner who must, with the US Agriculture Secretary, Ed Madigan, resolve the problems on agriculture that is the key to an accord, was last night still in Brussels. He left a Luxembourg meeting on Tuesday, confident that there was enough progress between the two sides to warrant a trip across the Atlantic.
Mr MacSharry reportedly has a bag packed, but the enthusiasm of his associates that a deal was within striking distance and could be done in principal before next Tuesday's election is markedly more muted than it was at the start of the week.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments