The United States said Thursday it was "ready and willing to make our contribution" to help revive a stalled global trade deal on the basis of new guidelines released by the World Trade Organization.
"We will be reviewing the revised texts in the coming days," said Gretchen Hamel of the office of US Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab.
She said Schwab "looks forward to meeting with ministers in Geneva the week of July 21" to help advance the stalled Doha Round of talks to further liberalize global trade.
"The US is committed to concluding a successful Doha Round this year that achieves new market access for agricultural and industrial products and services in both developed and emerging market economies," Hamel said.
"The key to success will be everyone's willingness to contribute to a strong outcome that delivers new economic opportunities worldwide. The US is ready and willing to make our contribution. It's time the world's largest and fastest growing economies make market-opening contributions commensurate with their increasing participation and role in the world economy."
The WTO released texts in Geneva earlier by its trade negotiator on agriculture, Crawford Falconer, and his counterpart on industrial products, Don Stephenson.
"These revised texts set the stage for a decisive moment in the Doha Round," said WTO director-general Pascal Lamy.
The Round, which started at the end of 2001 in the Qatar capital, aims to boost international commerce by removing trade barriers and subsidies but a deal has so far proved elusive as countries are reluctant to open up their markets or reduce financial support to farmers.
Lamy noted that ministers would need "negotiating documents which are clear and precise as they consider the complex issues of agriculture and industrial goods trade.
"These texts go a very long way in that direction. These negotiations have been long and tough but the prize awaiting us should we reach agreement is worth the effort," he added.
