News Releases

Peter Mandelson

No. 44/05
May 2, 2005

EU TRADE COMMISSIONER PETER MANDELSON AND USTR ROBERT PORTMAN MEET IN PARIS, 2 MAY 2005

Peter Mandelson and Robert Portman had their first meeting in Paris today. This meeting precedes a number of further meetings in Paris from 2 - 5 May with Trade Ministers from third countries intended to be stepping stones to the WTO Doha Round Ministerial in Hong Kong in December of this year.

This meeting focused on how to reinvigorate the Doha Round negotiations. It also covered how to make a success of the upcoming EU-US Summit in Washington on 20 June. Lastly, it involved a stocktaking of current trade disputes, including Airbus-Boeing.

On the DDA [Doha Development Agenda] talks, both men committed themselves to work for a success at December's Hong Kong meeting. They highlighted the need for significant and balanced progress in the negotiation and for ministerial level engagement in areas like industrial tariff reductions, the impending deadline for the submission of improved services offers and progress in rules and agriculture.

On the EU-US summit on 20 June, Mr. Portman and Mr. Mandelson agreed this will be an important occasion for leaders to set an agenda aimed at further integrating the transatlantic marketplace through practical measures.

On Airbus-Boeing, Mr. Mandelson and Mr. Portman agreed that a negotiated solution remained the most desirable option. They agreed to continue their dialogue.