USCIB Response to Doha Setback in Potsdam

New York, N.Y., June 21, 2007 – The president of the United States Council for International Business, Peter M. Robinson, issued the following statement today in response to news of the breakup of the G4 (Brazil, India, EU, U.S.) meeting in Potsdam, Germany on the WTO Doha Round:

“USCIB calls on governments to quickly revisit their positions and find the political will to overcome the lack of progress at the Potsdam G4 meeting.

“The defining moment of the Doha Round is now. The outlines of a balanced agreement are clearly visible. But unless this setback is rapidly reversed, there will be no time to conclude an agreement by the end of this year, before the U.S. becomes politically locked up in its 2008 election campaigns.

“USCIB remains committed, as a matter of top priority, to achieving substantial new trade liberalization in industrial goods, services and agriculture products in the Round.

“The Doha Round is the best opportunity to boost economic growth and development, not just for the United States, but also for all WTO members. Governments must not fail to seize it.

“USCIB strongly supports the leadership efforts of the U.S. negotiators and appreciates their willingness to show flexibility. Clearly, all governments must find more flexibility, and do it now, to prevent a failure of this Round.”

Mr. Robinson also expressed full support for the statement issued by International Chamber of Commerce Chairman Marcus Wallenberg. The ICC statement is available at http://www.iccwbo.org/iccbefeg/index.html.

About USCIB

USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment. Its membership includes some 300 U.S. companies, professional service firms and associations whose combined annual revenues exceed $3 trillion. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade. More information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, VP of Communications, USCIB
+1 212 703 5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

Staff Contact:   Kira Yevtukhova

Deputy Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 202.617.3160

Kira Yevtukhova manages USCIB’s print and online publications, including the website, e-newsletter and quarterly magazine, and serves as the organization’s digital media strategist. Prior to this role, Kira worked for over five years within USCIB’s Policy Department, focusing on climate change, environment, nutrition, health, and chemicals related policy issues. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and has an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
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