Openness can unlock stalemate in Doha talks

In the run up to the latest round of talks, African states prepared a demand list of seven points for negotiations with their partners.

Key on the list presented by Kenya on behalf of the African group was the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade as well as other trade-distorting practices in the agricultural sector.

The African group was especially keen on the removal of subsidies to cotton growers in the US, among other agricultural commodities.

It also demanded that market access for non-agricultural goods be addressed, arguing that there was need to resolve non-reciprocal preferences in terms of product coverage and the implementation period.