Although some criticized the WTO for its lack of action, many countries left the conference saying that no deal was better than a flawed one. Europe was right not to renounce that position, nor to accept the launch of a truncated agreement that would have opened in bad conditions. Efforts to agree to the talks bogged down after President Clinton endorsed possible trade sanctions against nations if they fail to meet basic working and environmental standards. Clinton's statement, made to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, complicated the WTO meeting as delegates worked toward a Friday night deadline to come up with a plan for the new round of trade talks. Some in the European Union said Clinton's position was part of the U.S. politicking that added to the talks' tension.
Nobody likes to make concessions during an election campaign.
Discussions over the labor issue had become so heated that many developing countries have refused to sign the trade liberalization deal WTO delegates had been working toward on Friday. India said it would reject plans by the U.S. and the European Union for study groups on minimum labor standards. Delegates from other developing countries had said they felt shut out of the talks by their more wealthy counterparts. Latin American and Caribbean countries declared they would not ratify any agreements reached at the summit until they had more of a voice in the proceedings. Negotiators said they would continue talks after the Seattle breakdown, but are skeptical as to what can be achieved, since the talks have no set agenda and no deadline for completion.