. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/53 
15 December 2011  
 
(11-6609) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
UNITED STATES 
 
Statement by H.E. Mr Ronald Kirk 
United States Trade Representative 
  
We gather at an anxious moment for the global economy.  Against this back-drop, it is not 
surprising that many are looking to this gathering for signals about the health of the World Trade 
Organization - one of our most important international institutions. 
 
The commitment of the United States to this ins titution is not new, it is not fleeting, and 
superficial, but rather longstanding, steadfast, and profound.  It is a commitment founded on the work 
of generations of Americans from both of our political  parties, all believing that rules-based trade is 
vital to our collective well-being. 
 
The benefits of this system trickle not downw ard - but upward, and out.  When trade works 
properly, it is a foundation for jobs - essential for all of our people, their families, and their communities.  These communities are the foundati on of nations, and trading nations are the 
foundation of a peaceful world. 
 
We should celebrate that the WTO has helped scores of developing countries use trade as a 
tool for development.  Indeed trade has been a primary engine of growth in the most successful 
developing economies, and ever increasing South to South trade is good news for all of us. 
 
We should also celebrate the accomplishm ents of the World Trade Organization's 
day-to-day work, through our standing committees, its monitoring functions, as well as the important 
contributions of its dispute settlement system and existing rules.  WTO rules have facilitated 
new trade flows and have been a critical defen ce against protectionism in these difficult economic 
times.  
We must continue to ensure that the WTO leads the way in examining issues of 
vital relevance to a healthy global trading system - issues such as new market access, fish subsidies, 
food security, trade facilitation, and regional trade agreements.  
But we must also face significant challenges, mo st prominently in our efforts to conclude the 
Doha Round. 
 
For all of the Round's complexity, the current impasse in many ways comes down to 
one single, vexing quandary:  the WTO has not come to terms over core questions of shared responsibilities among its biggest and most successful  Members.  The world has changed profoundly 
since this negotiation began a decade ago, most obviously in the rise of the emerging economies.  The 
results of our negotiations thus far do not reflect this change, and yet they must if we are to be 
successful. WT/MIN(11)/ST/53 
Page 2  
 
  All of us are still grappling with the best way to move forward with the Doha Round. 
 
But one thing is abundantly clear:  our current pa th is not leading us to a successful outcome.  
We need every bit of creativity we can muster in developing different approaches.  And it is critical 
that we turn the page to a more productive chapter. 
 
The United States stands ready to do our part, a nd I look forward to hearing the perspective of 
my colleagues at this critical junctu re on how we can move forward. 
 
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