The New Core proposes the new rules
Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at 6:05AM ■"A Voice for Developing Nations: Indian Diplomat Could Play Pivotal Role in Trade Talks," by Peter Wonacott, Wall Street Journal, 5 December 2005, p. A18.
■"Brazil Outlines Proposal to Pare Industrial Tariffs: Move Is a Bid to Spur EU, U.S. to Reduce Farm Duties Ahead of WTO Meeting," by Scott Miller and Geraldo Samor, Wall Street Journal, 5 December 2005, p. A18.
Good pair of stories that highlights the growing role of New Core countries to serve as diplomatic (see the other post on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and trade balancers to the Old Core's intransigent ways (e.g., Cold War-like containment strategies for China, trade protectionism on ag).
India's chief trade diplomat (their minister for commerce) is winning friends thoughout the Gap, much as Brazil has in recent months and years by championing their rights in the WTO.
Will Brazil's reasonable-but-not-stunning offer do the trick on Doha? Probably not. Just another in what will be many rounds of offers.
But know this: when you compare the Old Core's negotiating stance on Doha with those of the New Core powers, we look far more intransigent.
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