US looks forward to Bali trade deal after pact with govt

An agreement between the government and the United States to move ahead with a global trade facilitation agreement should give new momentum to multilateral efforts at the World Trade Organization, a US Trade official said on Thursday.

"On the basis of this breakthrough with India, we now look forward to working with all WTO Members and with Director-General Roberto Azevedo to reach a consensus that enables full implementation of all elements of the landmark Bali Package, including the Trade Facilitation Agreement," US Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman said in a statement.

Froman said the US-India agreement meant the trade facilitation agreement should be implemented without conditions. The USTR made it clear that WTO members would not challenge food security programs under the WTO dispute settlement procedures until a permanent solution had been agreed upon and adopted.

(Reuters)