Prior to 2001, international trade negotiations have
focused mostly on manufactured goods. In 2001,
World
Trade Organization (WTO) members, including the United States, met in
Doha, Qatar,
and agreed to begin talks to lower tariffs and
other barriers to free and fair agricultural trade.
The United States believes this is a historic
opportunity not only to help its farmers, ranchers, and growers export more, but
also to improve the lives of producers and consumers in the developing world and
around the globe. Therefore, the United States has worked diligently to
negotiate a fair agreement on export competition, market access, and domestic support.
Taken as a package, the U.S. proposal would result in reductions in trade
barriers for agricultural products, greater equity in world agriculture, and
expanding growth opportunities for the sale of agricultural products.
Original U.S.
Proposal (2002)