Zoellick & U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
Then to Attend Cairns Group Meeting in Uruguay, September 3-4

WASHINGTON- United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick will attend an informal meeting of trade ministers in Mexico City this weekend and then join U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman at the Cairns Group meeting in Uruguay. Both meetings are part of the preparations for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial conference in Doha, Qatar this November.

On Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1, Mexico is hosting the informal meeting of trade ministers from the United States, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, and Uruguay, as well as WTO Secretary General Michael Moore. The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion at the level of ministers about the economic and political opportunities and challenges to help frame the preparations for the upcoming WTO Ministerial.

From Mexico City, Zoellick will travel to Punta del Este, Uruguay, joining U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman as special guests of the Cairns Group, a coalition of 18 agriculture exporting countries. The government of Uruguay is hosting the fifteenth anniversary meeting of the Cairns Group, which will discuss the agriculture dimensions of the preparations for Doha.

"I look forward to a high level exchange at both these meetings to better understand the interests of these key countries as we look forward to Doha," said Zoellick. "We will also be presenting our perspective on the importance of opening markets for the United States and the global economy.

"The Cairns meeting helps emphasize the importance of agriculture in America's trade agenda, and we will work with the Cairns Group to expand markets and opportunities for American farmers as we prepare for Doha," Zoellick added.

Zoellick also offered thanks to Mexican Economy Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez for his hospitality and the leadership role Mexico is playing in hosting the informal ministerial in Mexico City.