The headlines of these various US and EU offers to reduce trade barriers are impressive butthe real effects will be much less. For the cuts are from theoretically allowable levels, not from the currently applied ones.

FRANCE raised the tempo in its attacks on Peter
Mandelson, condemning his proposed reduction in EU farm subsidies as
“shocking”.

Far from mollified by statements by the European Trade
Commissioner that he had not exceeded his brief in the Doha round of
talks, France lashed out again at the G20 talks in Beijing at the
weekend.

At least Mandy seems to be offending all the right people.