Which Candidate Will the Australian's

Which Candidate Will the Australian's Choose?

Australians export wheat. Wheat prices are down. The EU has just approved export subsidies for wheat. The Australians are unhappy; they think the EU is going back on subsidy reduction commitments made last summer.

David Uren reports that among other responses, the Australians are reminding the EU that they haven't decided on whether or not to support the EU candidate for Director-General of the WTO ("The Australian: Fury over wheat subsidy about-face" from The Australian):

"Trade Minister Mark Vaile said yesterday the new European subsidies were contrary to a commitment made last July to eliminate export subsidies from agricultural exports as part of the Doha round of world trade talks...

The Trade Minister said he would register Australia's serious concern with the new European Union trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, at the World Economic Forum in Davos later this week. Mr Vaile was known to be sympathetic to the claims of Mr Mandelson's predecessor, Pascal Lamy, to take up the position of WTO director-general, which falls vacant at the end of August.

Mr Lamy and Mr Vaile have a good personal relationship, and Australia recognised his toughness in persuading the EU to agree last July to abolish agricultural subsidies.

Mr Lamy's key rival for the job, Uruguay's Carlos Perez del Castillo, also has a strong claim on Australian support, as Uruguay was a foundation member of the Cairns Group of agricultural exporters.""

Pérez del Castillo has already visited Australia looking for support. A post on the earlier visit is here: "What Will Australia Do?".