I urge LDCs and developing countries to use that power not to stop a negotiation, but to start one. As I said, unless LDCs and developing countries have confidence that your issues are being addressed in meaningful way, no new round will conclude. The economic case for a new WTO round is compelling. That is equivalent to adding an economy the size of Canada to the world economy. Of course, these are only estimates.
Reasonable people can quibble about the exact size of the gains from a new round.
As storm clouds gather over the world economy, the prospect of launching a new round is a ray of sunlight for everyone, not least the world's poorest countries. Now is the time to move from words of support for a new round to making the compromises needed to launch one. Now is the time to question narrow, selfish interests in the interest of the overwhelming national good. Now is the time to look beyond yesterday's battles towards tomorrow's opportunities. The world economy needs the confidence a new WTO round will give.