World trade talks went into their final day deadlocked today as ministers showed little sign of untangling differences on agriculture that could wreck chances for a global free trade deal.
Both rich and poor countries complained loudly about a compromise plan by Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez aimed at putting troubled World Trade Organisation negotiations back on track to conclude by 2005.
"This text as it currently stands is not acceptable to anyone," WTO spokesman Keith Mr Rockwell told reporters. "Positions seemed to be more firmly entrenched."
During a closed-door session of top trade officials from the 146-member countries, the United States and China called on negotiators to redouble their efforts, Mr Rockwell said.
They said "time was running out and that opportunities like this come along rarely and ... should be seized and it required everyone to make some sacrifice," he said.
Ministers meeting in this Caribbean resort planned to work through the night.
Agricultural trade reform is the top priority in the talks for most WTO members. Without consensus on the goals for that negotiation, there is no chance for new market openings in other areas such as industrial goods and services.
Poor and developing nations said Mr Derbez's proposal did not put enough pressure on the United States and the European Union to slash the massive subsidies they give their farmers.