Mandelson continues push for trade talks breakthrough

Europe’s trade commissioner has said he will continue to seek a breakthrough in world trade talks, despite a warning from EU farm ministers that he is exceeding his mandate.

Peter Mandelson will meet the Indian Trade Minister, Kamal Nath, today (1 February) following meetings this week with officials from Brazil, the US and the G20 of emerging economies.

But France in particular has hit out at Mandelson’s "behaviour at Davos" where trade ministers met at the World Economic Forum to discuss kick-starting the talks. French Agriculture Minister Dominique Bussereau reacted to reports that Mandelson was going beyond the limit of a 39% cut in agricultural tariffs. "Any other offer is outside his mandate," he warned.

"We are not defending our position because we are in an election period, but because we have always defended it," he added.

Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel tried to reassure ministers this week (29 January) that "there was no deal or anything untoward in Davos" and that "figures were not being discussed".

But doubts remained over what Mandelson might offer in negotiations, in particular with the G20. "I don’t want a situation whereby the political astuteness for which he has a reputation would be used in a detrimental way," said Irish Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

"I am very surprised by the discussions," said the Austrian Agriculture Minister, Josef Proell.

A spokesman for Mandelson said he would negotiate "within the mandate" and that "he has promised he will not exceed the mandate".

Mandelson said he was confident of a breakthrough in the talks, following a meeting with G20 trade ministers on Monday (29 January). "We are now embarking on a long series of meetings and intensive discussions that I am now more confident will lead us to a breakthrough," said Mandelson.

Talks will continue in the coming months with officials hoping for a breakthrough before the end of March. "As far as I see we have a small window of opportunity and within two months it would be crucial," said Fischer Boel.

Europe’s trade commissioner has said he will continue to seek a breakthrough in world trade talks, despite a warning from EU farm ministers that he is exceeding his mandate.