Reuters AlertNet Lite - EU seeks to revive tariff-free "green" trade talks

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EU seeks to revive tariff-free "green" trade talks

18 Dec 2006 10:19:45 GMT
Source: Reuters

BRUSSELS, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Europe's trade chief urged other countries on Monday to resume negotiations on eliminating import duties on industries like clean power generation and renewable energy to help the fight against climate change.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said in a podcast for listeners signed up to the Commission's trade website that he wanted countries around the world to agree to get rid of the tariffs on what is called "green goods".

Mandelson said he would write to the head of the World Trade Organisation, Pascal Lamy, on the issue.

WTO countries have discussed special treatment for environmental goods as part of the organisation's Doha round of negotiations to reduce barriers to commerce around the planet.

But they have broken down due to differences over how to define environmental goods, and now the entire Doha round is suspended as major powers row over broader issues.

Mandelson also said he was opposed to suggestions that the EU should impose extra tariffs on imports from countries which have not signed up to the United Nations' Kyoto Protocol which sets targets for emissions of gases linked to climate change.

"This would be highly problematic under current WTO rules and almost impossible to implement in practice. I also suspect it would not be good politics," Mandelson said in the

China has ratified the protocol but it has no Kyoto targets because of its developing country status and while the United States has not ratified it, states like California have climate change policies, he said. "Above all, dealing with climate change is an international challenge. It requires international cooperation. Coercive policies will harm this. Collective responsibility will only be fostered by policies of dialogue, incentive and cooperation.

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Last updated:Mon Dec 18 10:20:43 2006