Doha Round

A series of trade liberalization negotiations initiated under the World Trade Organization (WTO) in late 2001. The Doha Round focuses on trade liberalization for a wide-range of agricultural products. In particular, this round of trade talks is aimed at helping developing countries whose exportable goods are heavily concentrated among agricultural products develop their international trade. Poor countries complain that rich countries spend $1 billion a day on trade subsidies. By enacting trade liberalization on agricultural products, developing countries can be helped the most and poverty reduced. Other subjects covered by the trade talks include trade in services and intellectual property issues.

The round draws its name from the WTO Ministerial Conference that was held in Doha, Qatar, from November 9 to November 14, 2001. Actual talks commenced in January 2002 with their completion scheduled for Jan. 1, 2005.