The World Trade Organisation talks aimed at liberalising global trade have failed – mostly due to farm import rules, which allow countries to protect their farmers by imposing tariffs on goods in the event of price drops or import surges.

It is understood that the main stumbling block was disagreement between India, China and the US. On the other hand, China lays the blame for the failure of the trade talks on a “selfish and short-sighted behaviour” of wealthy nations.

It said that the talks collapsed ultimately because the US and EU were unwilling to scrap the huge subsidies they pay their farmers. The Common Agricultural Policy of the EU is a source of consternation both internationally and within the bloc. Yet the Japanese have taken the unusual step of straddling the fence, acknowledging the protectionism of the EU and the US, but also adding that China’s and India’s economies have grown enormously since the Doha Round talks began some seven years ago. In fact, a senior Japanese official queried the motives of the two emerging powerhouses and said he wondered whether their motives were related to the world economy or national interests.

The EU, which is seeking closer trade ties with all nations, described the collapse of the talks as being “heartbreaking”.

The talks were aimed at lifting millions in developing countries out of poverty by facilitating free trade and access to the markets of developed countries. Yet the talks, the latest of which took place in Geneva, have almost always been dominated by the EU, the US, India, China, Australia and to a lesser degree, Brazil.

The US and the European Union want greater access to provide services to fast-growing emerging countries, including China and India. Meanwhile, developing countries want greater access for their agricultural products in Europe and the US.

This is a contradiction in terms, of course. There is no way that China and India can still be looked on as developing nations. If anything, they are developing super nations. The EU and the US, are of course, pandering to the world’s attention by calling for a resolution and breakthrough in the talks – yet they will not dismantle the protective measures in place for their farmers. These protective measures are the bane of most European countries and certain more influential EU nations hold all the cards. Surely, there must be changes to the EU’s systems before anyone can even hope to move forward on the global scene. This year’s talks were also hampered by the soaring (yet still fluctuating) fuel and food prices. Riots have taken place in Western Europe as various sectors of society railed against the hikes. All the while, the starving of Africa, Latin and Central America and South Asia continue to try to eke a living out of ever worsening and shrinking arable land – making a pittance for food which is later sold at hundredfold mark-up prices in supermarket chains.

Analysts say that the collapse of this round of talks could lead to partner agreements. This will unfortunately hamper the efforts of citizens of developing nations further. The West will have all the power to choose one supplier over another and what will the deciding factor be? Money... Hell will probably freeze over before a fair resolution can be found.