For seven years, international negotiators have struggled to reach agreement on a deal that would lower barriers to trade and investment. From last week to early this week they held a round of talks that was widely considered "do or die." Failure to conclude a deal was likely to kill the effort.
The threat of collapse did not spur negotiators toward compromise. After nine days of intense discussions, the talks ended without agreement. The global trade order continues, but great damage has been done.
Launched in 2001 in Doha, Qatar, this round of talks was intended to address the concerns of developing states; they complained that previous rounds focused on developed country priorities. Topping their list of concerns was access to agriculture markets in the developed world, one area in which the world's poorest countries can compete but are often denied the opportunity as a result of protectionism.