Number: RS21664
Title: The WTO Cancun Ministerial
Authors: Ian F. Fergusson, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: The Cancun Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) broke up without reaching agreement on the course of future multilateral trade negotiations. The immediate cause of the collapse was disagreement over launching negotiations on the Singapore issues, but agriculture and industrial market access issues were also sources of contention. Reaction from the United States has been to focus on regional and bilateral talks, while the European Union has undertaken a policy review of its position towards the WTO. The talks were characterized by the emergence of the G-20+ group of developing nations that sought deep cuts in developed country agricultural subsidies.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated November 6, 2003