European and African leaders failed to make progress on a new trade agreement between their continents today, officials said, deepening tension at a summit already marred by disputes over Zimbabwe and Darfur.

The European Union has come under fire from a charity over deals which allow developing countries to sell their wares in Europe duty-free.

THE current failure of the World Trade Organisation talks means that more emphasis is being placed on bilateral trade deals between the EU and some of the world’s poorest countries.