Political Quotes

“I rise to note that yesterday the WTO concluded its fourth ministerial meeting in Doha, Qatar. Circumstances leading to this meeting were not auspicious. There is a war on, after all, and the Middle East is not the most comfortable place for the champions of globalization and progress. With the global economic slowdown, protectionism is on the rise. Not exactly the best time to undertake talks to expand global trade. Many of us remember that in 1999, the WTO met in Seattle in very difficult circumstances. The city was rocked by rioting, the participants failed to reach consensus, and the basic assumptions underlying international trade were left in tatters. In sharp contrast and against some tough odds, the WTO ministerial meeting was a great success. The WTO initiated a new Round of international trade negotiations, setting forth an ambitious agenda by overcoming difficult objections from the EU, the developing world, and even those in this country who are less-than-appreciative of the importance of international trade. I believe United States Trade Negotiator Robert Zoellick and his team deserves much of the credit for the success of Doha.”