This story in today’s Wall Street Journal headlined “Global Trade Talks Near Collapse
Amid Farming, Other Disputes”
offers some hope that perhaps there are real brakes to be put on the imposition of so-called “free trade” on a global scale. Yes, individual countries are striking these deals–see the U.S. Oman deal–but if the global framework begins to screech to a halt or at least is creaky, an opportunity may open to offer an alternative agenda.

Here’s a bit of the Journal story (it’s subscription only):

Doha Round global trade talks stand near the brink of failure after a meeting of trade ministers meant to save the negotiations failed to make progress over the weekend and broke up early.

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab called recent developments “disheartening” as trade ministers neared what many consider an immovable deadline at the end of the month to forge the blueprint of a global trade deal. A multitude of unresolved issues and the hardening positions of negotiators make an agreement look increasingly problematic. Trade ministers are now starting to talk openly of perhaps putting the talks on hold for years.

In a possible last-ditch move, some trade ministers are trying to persuade the leaders of the U.S., Brazil, India, the European Union and others to meet directly about the Doha round on the sidelines of an already-contentious summit of the Group of Eight leading nations in Russia later this month.

The head of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, is expected to launch several weeks of shuttle diplomacy in a bid to close gaps. “It’s a crisis, but there is a sense that it remains doable,” he said.