US President George W. Bush told a UN summit on Wednesday that the United States was prepared to drop all trade tariffs, subsidies and other barriers if other nations did the same.
Eliminating trade barriers "could lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty over the next 15 years," Bush said, calling for a successful conclusion to World Trade Organisation talks on trade and development, known as the Doha round of negotiations.
Bush told the gathering of some 150 world leaders at UN headquarters that the United States had previously signalled its willingness to eliminate agricultural subsidies and other barriers "to open markets for farmers around the world."
"Today I broaden the challenge by making this pledge: The United States is ready to eliminate all tariffs, subsidies and other barriers to the free flow of goods and services if other nations do the same," he said. "This is key to overcoming poverty in the world's poorest nations. It's essential we promote prosperity and opportunity for all nations."