LONDON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- World Trade Organization officials said Tuesday that talks in Geneva are nearing collapse, and there is little hope of restarting them in December.
Members of the WTO are meeting in Geneva to try and resume plans for further liberalization of world trade.
But the BBC reported that WTO chairman Carlos Perez del Castillo said there has been "little real negotiation" so far.
Developing country and rich nations are at loggerheads over the scope of trade negotiations and the need to reduce agricultural subsidies.
Del Castillo told delegates after an informal consultation that "gaps remain wide not only among positions but also between generalized statements of commitment ... and any concrete manifestation of those statements in negotiating positions."
He warned that unless there is "a dramatic movement in positions," the plan to restart the trade talks on Dec. 15 will fail.
