Global commerce talks at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva collapsed today as top powers failed to agree on steps towards liberalising trade in farm and manufactured goods.

Global trade talks remained deadlocked in Hong Kong today after leading delegates meeting late into the night failed to reach agreement on setting a date for ending export subsidies on farm goods – again blaming European countries for blocking progress.

The 20 developing nations that scuttled global trade talks in 2003 with their tough stance on agriculture policy sent trade ministers to India for meetings today to discuss their strategy for the next round of talks later this year.

World Trade Organisation members have approved a plan to end export subsidies on farm products and cut import duties across the world, a key step toward a comprehensive global accord under discussion since 2001, trade officials said.

Key trade ministers tentatively agreed on a plan to end export subsidies on farm products and cut import duties across the world today, a key step toward a comprehensive global accord, officials said.