US lawmakers blame EU, others for WTO collaspe

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) A pair of leading US lawmakers blamed the European Union and advanced developing countries for the collapse of world trade talks on Monday and praised US trade negotiators for holding firm in the talks.

The suspension of the World Trade Organization's Doha round came after major major trading powers failed in a last-ditch bid to overcome differences on reforming world farm trade, which lies at the heart of the round.

The United States has refused to improve its offer to cut domestic farm subsidies until the European Union and advanced developing countries such as India and Brazil revise their offers to open their markets to more farm goods.

''The United States is willing to change its domestic agriculture policies, but American farmers demand equal access to markets on the world stage,'' House of Representatives Majority Leader John Boehner said in a statement.

''The European Union in particular refused to negotiate tariff cuts that would allow American goods and services to flow freely,'' the Ohio Republican said.

The talks, officially known as the Doha Development Agenda, were launched nearly five years ago with the goal of helping poor countries prosper from trade.

Washington contends the biggest benefit would come from cutting tariffs that block developing-country exports, as well as its own.

''Ambassador Schwab was right to hold firm and accept nothing less than real concessions. I commend her for her resolve,'' said Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees trade issues.

''As I have long said, no Doha deal is better than a bad Doha deal. It has become increasingly apparent that our trading partners -- especially the European Union and certain advanced developing countries -- are unwilling to offer meaningful access to their markets, especially for U.S. agricultural exports,'' he added.

Baucus said the United States should turn its attention to bilateral trade negotiations, like those underway with South Korea and Malaysia, which he said have a better chance of success.

REUTERS MQA RK2233