. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/112 
2 December 2009 
 (09-6393) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   Spanish 
 
  
ARGENTINA 
 
Statement by HE Mr Jorge Taiana
 
Minister for Foreign Relations, International Trade and Worship  
   We would like to highlight certain issues that we  believe to be particularly significant in the 
current international climate, with speci fic reference to the role of the WTO. 
 
 We all know that the crisis that emerged in the financial sector subsequently had a major 
impact on the real economy, causing production and empl oyment levels to fall, and poverty to rise.  
Though the crisis began in the developed worl d, its impact on the developing countries was 
considerable.  
 Beyond this negative impact, one point that is perhaps less discussed, though it is more 
important in our opinion, is that during this peri od international trade dec lined more sharply than 
production.   Bearing in mind that this asymmetry is expected to  persist in the near future – that is, trade is 
expected to recover more slowly than the global economy – it is clear that over the coming years trade 
will cease to play the dynamic role of boosting dema nd that it has played for the last few decades. 
  The situation undoubtedly calls for different res ponses from those that have served in the past.  
In basic terms, we need to establish greater cohe rence between monetary, fiscal and trade policies. 
 
 It also calls for a number of measures under our agenda.  Allow me to elaborate: 
  Firstly, the WTO needs to perform its control and supervisory function fully. 
  Measures adopted by the countries with greater  economic weight – such as fiscal packages, 
financial assistance and "buy national" polic ies – that go beyond the traditional trade policy 
instruments, have a serious impact on the competitiveness of others, particularly the developing countries, which do not have the same budgetary resources.   This is why Argentina submitted proposals to the General Council aimed at improving 
procedures relating to transparency and the monitoring  and evaluation of the trade-distorting effects of 
such aid packages.   As we have mentioned previously, although th ese measures may be justifiable in the short 
term, the WTO must ensure objectively that  all Members comply with its rules. 
 
 Secondly, the financial and economic crisis ha s raised doubts as to the potential benefits of 
trade liberalization if it is not coupled with acti on to stimulate and divers ify supply in developing WT/MIN(09)/ST/112 
Page 2  
 
  countries.  In the context of the Doha Round, therefore, emphasis needs to be placed on the 
importance of granting the developing countries sufficien t flexibility to enable them to participate in 
the exchange of concessions.   Thirdly, besides pushing for a conclusion to  the Doha Round as mandated and with emphasis 
on development, we should rapidly also focus our at tention on the rules that govern the various trade 
sectors.   In agriculture, in particular, we should focus on harmonization based on the standards 
established by the relevant international bodies, and thus avoid the risk of national measures 
becoming real barriers to trade. 
  Finally, fairer trade will contribute to global ec onomic recovery.  To achieve this, we need to 
decide on three matters before concluding the Round:  
 - Duty-free and quota-free treatment for least developed countries; 
  - elimination of protection for cotton producers and of cotton trade subsidies;   - granting of a waiver for services preferences to the countries in question.  
 The recent decision to conclude the third round of negotiations, adopted in the context of the 
Global System of Trade Preferences among Deve loping Countries (GSTP), is a clear sign of the 
commitment of our countries to fairer and more ope n international trade that stimulates South-South 
cooperation, which is becoming increasingl y necessary to the multilateral system. 
 
 This spirit should extend across the whole system. 
  I would like to conclude by expressing my  conviction that our future work will be 
underpinned by a commitment to the multilateral tradi ng system.  There is no credible alternative to 
the rules-based system.  I am convinced that we can  all share in the determination to strengthen it and 
ensure that it is ultimately used to the benefit of  all, and that proper consideration is given to the 
development mandate. 
 
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