Global trade deal a step closer

EU ministers hailed an emerging global trade deal last night, as compromise proposals revitalised deadlocked talks at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.

But they warned that much work was still needed to get full agreement on the delicately crafted proposal.

"What's on the table is not perfect, but it’s finally put together what will be a genuine boost for the world economy and particularly good for developing countries,"EU trade chief Peter Mandelson said.