They are expected to meet against a noisy backdrop of street protests by people who believe that the current global trading system destroys jobs and harms the environment. The delegates to the four-day World Trade Organization meeting, which starts Tuesday, are hoping to begin a new round of negotiations aimed at lowering barriers to the exchange of goods and services between nations.
Success is by no means certain.
Exploratory talks toward an agenda for the meeting ended in failure last week as officials tried to nudge other countries to open their markets further, but defended their own territories. As the 20th century nears its close, political leaders of every stripe and nationality have praised trade as benefiting everyone because it helps raise standards of living and employment. Yet a mood of anxiety hangs over the conference. Trade barriers have historically helped define nationhood by protecting local companies, jobs, even ways of life. When barriers come down, a bit of what binds people together as a country can be lost.