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COSATU notes with dismay the commitment of the recent G8 Summit to conclude the Doha round of world trade negotiations in 2010 without addressing the concerns of developing countries. COSATU further commends the Minister of Trade and Industry in standing firm against the anti-developmental character of the negotiations.

The current Doha round texts on agriculture and NAMA are anti-developmental, would remove policy space for poor countries to integrate into world trade and result in job losses. The Doha round should only be concluded if, among others, the following conditions are complied with:

Ø There is policy space for developing countries to use tariffs to protect industries and as a source of revenue
Ø Reductions in tariffs for developing countries must be lower than reductions by rich countries, in accordance with the less than full reciprocity principle; it is not the intention of Doha to harmonise tariffs of developed and developing countries
Ø Poor countries must be granted more flexibility to exempt certain sensitive products and sectors - based on their export earning potential and labour intensity - from tariff reductions
Ø Domestic subsidies must be strictly regulated and there must be easy safeguard measures, such as import quotas to stop subsidized imports, as tariffs are often not effective in deterring subsidised imports.
Ø Governments should retain their rights to regulate the services sector, including public services, and should voluntarily open up their markets based on their economic and financial needs. Furthermore, countries should be allowed to revise their GATS commitments on financial services to re-regulate the banking sector, in particular the use of speculative investments such as hedge funds and derivates, as per the London G20 commitments.
Ø SA must be given more flexibility to shield sensitive tariff lines because of its trade relations with SACU
Ø Cotton produces in West Africa should be given duty free quotas to facilitate free access to developed countries' markets and subsidies on cotton by rich countries should immediately be eliminated.
Ø Longer periods for implementation of tariff reduction commitments for developing countries.
Ø Developing countries should be able to select certain products as sensitive products and have them exempted from tariff cuts because of their labour intensity and importance as staple food.