Britain's PM Opposes Doha Round Trade Talks

Last year David Cameron focused on the Doha trade deal - this year he did the same but chose to go a step further.  

            

He called on world leaders to bypass the world free trade deal in favour of new separate agreements.              

 

[David Cameron, British Prime Minister]:         

"Last year, at this very forum, world leaders called for an all-out effort to conclude the Doha round in 2011. We said it was the make-or-break year. It was. And we have to be frank about it. It didn't work. But we must not give up on free trade. Let's step forward with a new and ambitious set of ideas to take trade forwards."    

          

Cameron wants the 27 members of the European Union to negotiate their own deals - creating what he called a "coalition of the willing."  

            

It's a controversial move, most world leaders have spent years giving their support to the Doha deal.     

         

But Cameron has his own agenda. He's keen to give a boost to Britain and Europe's sagging economies.    

          

[David Cameron, British Prime Minister]:         

"We meet today at a perilous moment for economies right across Europe. Growth has stalled, unemployment is rising, the prospect of Europe getting left behind is all too apparent."              

          

[Sonia Legg, Reuters Correspondent]: 

"Cameron also addressed some of issues that have isolated Britain. He said plans for a common financial transaction tax were "madness" and he also explained why he rejected a new Europe Treaty. But he said he was committed to the EU."   

           

[David Cameron, British Prime Minister]:               

"Britain is part of the European Union not by default but by choice. It fundamentally reflects our national interest to be part of the single market which is on our doorstep and we have no intention of walking away from it."  

            

Cameron's comments certainly don't mean the Doha deal is dead  - just last month world trade ministers refused to go down that route.  

            

But Cameron insists Europe needs bold action and it needs it soon.