Germany Backing US On Trade Deal

German Economy Minister Michael Glos has backed the US in order to push for a multilateral approach to dismantling barriers in global trade and work towards a deal.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU at the start of 2007.

The Doha development round of World Trade Organization talks was suspended in July due to an impasse over agricultural trade. The round aims to reduce barriers to free global trade.

Some analysts believe the White House might win a temporary extension of trade promotion authority if there is breakthrough in Doha Round of world trade talks, which have been stuck for years on difficult agricultural issues.