Options for EU trade policy

In late July 2008, the Doha round suffered its umpteenth setback, when ministers from the member-states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) failed to agree on a package to liberalise world trade. Talks have now been dragging on for seven years and they may never be concluded. With elections coming up in the US and India, and the European Commission due for reappointment in 2009, there is little prospect of any progress in the short term. Even when these hurdles are passed, a trade deal may remain elusive. If so, the EU will have to contemplate other ways of freeing trade. What options are available?

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