India's Nath Has Pivotal Role in Trade Talks

GENEVA -- This week's World Trade Organization summit is turning into a bad-tempered marathon, and one man has emerged as the pivotal figure: Indian commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath. Mr. Nath's rising status reflects the changing balance of power at the WTO and in the global economy. During the talks, which ran into 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and started again Thursday evening, he has taken on the role of speaking for the world's developing countries, from Asia to Africa. In particular, Mr. Nath says poorer countries must preserve the right to use tariffs to protect nascent industries -- like... [read full story]