Doha Round Dead Over Ag Dispute

The latest round of World Trade Organization talks has collapsed over disagreements between the EU and the US. Both have put the blame on each other for the failure of the so-called "Doha round" of talks, which began in 2001. The US had called on the EU to drastically cut agricultural tariffs so as to allow US farmers access to European markets, but the EU wouldn’t budge unless the US cut farm subsidies first. In the wake of the failed talks, which analysts say had huge potential benefits for free trade, many countries are looking to settle for bilateral or regional trade agreements.