USTR, USDA chiefs to lead U.S. delegation to WTO meeting
The heads of the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead the country’s delegation at the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Cancun this week, Sept. 10-14.
“The United States recognizes the benefits trade provides our farmers, consumers, workers and businesses, and we’ve led by example with bold proposals to slash trade barriers in agriculture, goods and services,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.
The most challenging issues facing the WTO members during the so-called “mid-point” in the Doha negotiations will be agricultural trade barriers.
“American agriculture has a big stake in these multilateral negotiations, which present an opportunity for U.S. farmers and ranchers to gain greater access to more and faster-growing markets,” said Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman.