"Big divergences" hamper progress in WTO talks

By Jonathan Lynn and William Schomberg GENEVA (Reuters) - Urgent talks to salvage a global trade deal made "some progress" in the early hours of Thursday, ministers said, but officials warned the mood was dark behind closed doors at the World Trade Organisation. The ministers from Australia, Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Japan and the United States attempted to address major stumbling blocks that have long dogged the WTO's Doha negotiations, launched in 2001. "Collectively we think it's worth continuing to make an effort because there was some progress. There are difficulties too," Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim told reporters. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said "a little progress" was made. Ministers were due to meet again on Thursday afternoon. "Some issues are nearer solution. Other issues are... [read full story]