US to conclude Doha round this year, says Schwab

The Bush administration has told the Congress that the United States was committed to conclude the Doha Round of multilateral negotiations this year.

"Multilaterally, the US continues to lead efforts towards concluding an ambitious Doha Development Round. Concluding an ambitious Doha Round is President Bush's top trade negotiating priority and will generate economic growth through new trade flows in agriculture, industrial goods and services," US Trade Representative Susan C Schwab said in a statement.

The Bush administration is planning to pursue Asia-Pacific regional economic integration through the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, it added.

The US is party to free-trade agreements (FTAs) with 20 countries, with 14 in force, three approved by Congress but not yet in force, and three concluded but not yet approved by Congress.