WTO Reaches Limited Subsidy Agreement

World Trade Organization negotiators reached a limited trade agreement that calls for the European Union to end farm export subsidies by 2013.

Negotiators hope it will pave the way for a global free trade treaty in 2006, the BBC reported.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said the deal was not a true success but enough progress had been made to save the six days of talks in Hong Kong from failure.

The WTO will hold further talks on issues such as reducing import tariffs on agricultural produce and freeing up trade in industrialized goods after making no headway.

The BBC said Sunday’s deal on farm export subsidies followed round-the-clock negotiations between the United States, European Union and developing countries.

Poorer countries wanted an end-date of 2010.

A large police presence was on alert Sunday outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibit Center, CNN reported.

After warning hundreds of protesters to leave the streets outside the talks, riot police moved in early Sunday to disperse the crowd.

Some 70 people were injured Saturday as 1,000 demonstrators protested against what they see as exploitation of the poor by the richer countries.