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U.S. proposes ending farm subsidies

ZURICH, Switzerland, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Washington offered Monday to end U.S. farm export subsidies in five years and cut other domestic subsidies by more than half.

And no sooner had the U.S. delegation at a key World Trade Organization meeting made its offer, than their EU counterparts vowed to more than match it, the Guardian reported.

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However, a French-led group of EU nations, has already begun organizing to resist any lifting state aid to EU farmers.

Free-trade advocates hailed the U.S. move.

"The U.S. has made what will be perceived as a significant offer, that puts pressure on the EU and allows it to claim the moral high ground," said Peter Hardstaff, policy director of the World Development Movement.

The U.S. proposal includes a requirement that developing nations accept sweeping cuts on industrial tariffs and open markets to service firms.

Earlier, WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said Brussels and Washington would have to make adjustments in agriculture policy if progress is to be made in the present round of global trade talks, which is already well behind an original December 2004 deadline.

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