NAM presses for strong Doha outcome.

Press Release Summary:



Agreed upon by major business organizations in 8 countries, joint statement outlines standards by which WTO Doha Round will be judged a success. According to John Engler, NAM President, we need to see real market access in developing countries that are charging bulk of world tariffs through tariff-cutting formula, avoiding exempting entire industries from trade liberalization, obtaining strong participation in sectoral tariff liberalization agreements, and seeing reduction of non-tariff barriers.



Original Press Release:



NAM Among Major Global Associations Pressing for Strong DOHA Outcome



"Manufacturers Around the World Want Real Cuts in Trade Barriers," Says Engler

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2008 -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) today released the text of a joint statement on the Doha Round that was agreed by major business organizations in eight countries accounting for the bulk of global manufacturing production. The text is being simultaneously released internationally:

"The NAM and our global counterparts today have issued a statement that clearly outlines the standards by which any World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round will be judged a success," said NAM President John Engler. "We need to see real market access in the advanced developing countries that are charging the bulk of world tariffs through a strong tariff-cutting formula, avoiding exempting entire industries from trade liberalization, obtaining strong participation in sectoral tariff liberalization agreements, and seeing significant reduction of non-tariff barriers (NTBs)."

"We are hopeful that the accelerated industrial trade negotiations now going on in Geneva may yet result in breakthroughs that would enable trade ministers to meet in July and agree to an agenda offering significant reductions in trade barriers and real gains in market access," said Engler.

"But our joint statement makes it plain that global manufacturers' support for the Round is conditioned on this kind of significant and genuine market access, and the existing negotiating text frankly does not do that," said Engler. "This Round is about trade liberalization that benefits all countries, and especially the poorest; but considerably more ambition is needed."

"Our joint message is a clear one -- if negotiators give in to the impulse to lessen ambition and don't take the steps that will open key markets around the world, it will be a real setback for the global economy and the Doha Round, and manufacturers can't be expected to support that kind of outcome," said Engler.

"That is the view not just of the NAM, but also the Australian Industry Group, Business Europe, Business New Zealand, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, the Chinese National Federation of Industries (Taiwan), the Korean International Trade Association, and Japan's Nippon Keidanren," said Engler. "That is a pretty impressive coalition of global manufacturers, with a very important message."

"We encourage negotiators to remain at the table, maintain their ambition, and keep the big picture in mind as they continue discussions." Engler said. "There cannot be a conclusion to the Round without real trade liberalization not just for agriculture, but also for manufactured goods and for services." The joint statement can be accessed at: http://nam.org/s_nam/bin.asp?CID=484&DID=240676&DOC=FILE.PDF

The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAM has 11 additional offices across the country. Visit the NAM's award-winning web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.

CONTACTS: HANK COX (202) 637-3090

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