A US-Switzerland panel discussion on the theme of global trade liberalization took place on January 24 as part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) program in Davos, Switzerland.
Panellists discussed the current status of the Doha Round and different perspectives for advancing the negotiations. They also paid particular attention to preferential trade agreements and the elimination of non-tariff barriers. Private sector panellists addressed key issues linked with international trade and cross-border investment, and expressed their expectations for trade liberalization.
The forum was organised in conjunction with the WEF, jointly by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the US Embassy in Switzerland, economiesuisse (the Swiss Business Federation) and the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.
Doris Leuthard, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, and Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative, provided government perspectives in the discussion. Corporate viewpoints were represented by Fred Kindle, President and CEO of ABB and Charles O. Holliday, Jr., Chairman and CEO of DuPont.
The US-Switzerland Joint Economic Commission (JEC) is designed to involve government and business leaders from both countries in co-operating on joint projects that promote stability in the global economy, and in strengthening the two countries' political dialogue and economic partnership.
On the opening day of the WEF annual meeting on 23rd January, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice indicted that the United States would be willing to work with other nations to remove trade barriers before the expiry of President George Bush's term later this year.
"President Bush and I remain committed to completing a successful Doha round, and my colleague Susan Schwab, who is here in Davos, is working to do just that," Rice told the Forum.
Rice went on to assure those attending that President Bush is committed to cutting tariffs and reducing subsidies to encourage the free flow of world trade, but added that the US expects its efforts in this area to be reciprocated.
"We expect our partners to join us in finding a way to make Doha a success," she explained.
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