Articles from the author

IMF's lack of resources seen as stumbling block

If the two countries’ plan works and the EU will set the rules as well as provide the money, the fund could lose its influence

World bank now plays a smaller role in extending American influence as it fears losing borrowers

French finance minister rejects the idea of a nationality test

Much of the struggle of Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, to move the biggest stumbling block in the Doha round lies in getting the enthusiasm of Europe's goods and services exporters for new markets to outweigh French farmers' fear of losing subsidies.

European Union ministers have been meeting to discuss their position in world trade talks, with the rifts among member states and with the Commission having broken spectacularly into the open.