* Differential treatment for developing countries: higher tariff bands, lower tariff cuts and a maximum tariff of 150%. * No tariff cuts for the 50 Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
The Conditionalities
EU proposals in market access are strictly conditional on further clarification from other developed countries on the elimination of their forms of export support.
US commitments on Food Aid and Export Credits are not yet sufficient. Australia , Canada and New Zealand need to provide further commitment on the reform of their State Trading enterprises. The EU also seeks real disciplines on the most trade-distorting US farm payments (Counter Cyclical Payments).
The EU proposals are also strictly conditional on the acceptance by our negotiating partners of a number of proposals in the negotiating areas of the DDA outside of agriculture:
* In trade in industrial goods, the EU wants agreement before Hong Kong on a progressive formula that cuts into applied tariffs;
* In services, the EU wants to see negotiations complemented by ambitious mandatory country targets for services sectors to be liberalised - agreed at Hong Kong;
* An international register protecting Geographical Indications (GIs) in all WTO Member States.
* In WTO Rules negotiations, the EU wants the WTO to negotiate between now and Hong Kong a list of issues to be resolved including all major impediments to international trade created by abusive recourse to antidumping
* In development, the EU wants assurance that there will be a range of proposals ready for Hong Kong including a Trade Related Assistance package, and agreement that all developed countries should extend tariff and quota free access to all Least Developed Countries no later than the overall conclusion of the DDA.
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