EU trade head, president trade barbs

LONDON, July 2 (UPI) -- The European Trade Commissioner accused French President Nicolas Sarkozy of undermining him and Europe's standing at world trade discussions.

Sarkozy accused Peter Mandelson of pushing a trade agreement that would cut European jobs, the BBC reported Wednesday. France took over the EU's rotating presidency Tuesday.

"I am being undermined and Europe's negotiating position in the world trade talks is being weakened and I regret that," Mandelson told the British broadcaster. "It is very disappointing because the mandate on which I am negotiating in the world trade talks ... has been agreed by all the member states."

Sarkozy said Mandelson and Pascal Lamy, World Trade Organization chief, would sacrifice European farmers for free trade in the Doha trade talks, the BBC said. The talks, which began in 2001, have stalled repeatedly over how much state aid should be given to certain industries.

Mandelson has said food protectionism was "not going to feed the world's hungry" and the talks were "too important" to let fail.

Sarkozy on Monday said the deal would cut farm output by 20 percent and farm exports by 10 percent.

"That would be 100,000 jobs lost, I won't let it happen," he said.