In the middle of November last year, newspapers around the world reported with joy the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements reached in Doha, Qatar. The details, engineered by the USA and the European Union representatives, were accepted unanimously by all member countries.

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Watan newspaper stated that the agreement culminated in a balance between the desires of the industrialized countries and the expectations of the organization’s developing members. The Washington Post stated that global commerce entered the stage of commercial negotiations requiring support from the appropriate authorities so that the opportunity for commercial globalization with sustained development is not lost.

The New York Times was more positive about the success of the Doha achievements. It considered both the USA and the European lead representative members are trust worthy and committed to the notion of free trade under the banner of WTO. Furthermore, they had three years to deliver on their promises.

All commentators considered speed, in achieving agreements on all WTO issues, of considerable importance. Especially in view of the growing numbers of bilateral trade agreements between countries of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Much to everybody’s surprise, and to be exact, during the last week of November this year, the US Government representatives came up with the promised proposal.

Basically it suggested that the developing countries should undertake gradual reduction of all their tariffs to reach zero sum by the year 2015 on all produce and manufactured goods.

No suggestions were tabulated by the USA for the developed industrialized countries to reduce their tariffs, remove subsidies or any trade obstructions.

The European Union maintained complete silence until this date. Only three weeks ago a meeting between the French president and the WTO general manager took place in Paris. Apparently the latter was put in his proper place by the USA and the European Union. He was made to realize that he can only comment favorably on such issues.

Surprise surprise - apparently no one expected differently! However, it must not be forgotten that credit still must go to the country that worked diligently over fifty years to create this great organization and make the dream nearly true. It so happens to be the Government of the same country that has until now the will and the power, to see WTO into more than virtual reality. But it also has the power to bury it!

Trade is a two-way arrangement. Poor developing countries cannot afford to remove their tariff barriers to the rich developed countries of the world and remain solvent.

The subsidies paid by the governments of the advanced nations on farming and industries to cover up for their inefficient economic activities are greater than double the losses in customs duties on exports by the developing countries to their developed partners. Furthermore the loss of customs duties when removed to the advanced countries, is half the amount of aid promised to those underdeveloped governments which toe the line.

Sustained global development is achievable only when developed countries take the lead seriously for others to follow without fail. Furthermore, keeping the developing countries poor at the mercy of the rich is humiliating to nations. It is damaging to their citizens and forces the few to crimes and terrorism.

In this day and age it goes against the value of humanity to hold such attitudes while preaching the opposite. Let us hope that the rich nations can set an example for the rest of the world without exhausting the resources of the country members of the World Trade Organization. It may also give other countries courage to join with confidence.

Arab News Features 16 December 2002