Following a meeting with United States treasury secretary Henry Paulson in Brasília yesterday, finance minister Guido Mantega said the Brazilian government believes it is still 'possible to have some success' in the Doha Round negotiations, and that President Lula has recently discussed the issue with the British and German prime ministers, Gordon Brown and Angela Merkel.

Mantega said the Brazilian government had informed Mr Paulson of its interest in resuming negotiations, and 'is counting on the United States so that we can proceed with this strategy'.

He added that the US treasury secretary had expressed a willingness to help Brazil in reducing barriers to international trade, and that the meeting had included the subject of the restrictions the US places on imports of Brazilian fuel ethanol and biodiesel.

Source: Agência Brasil and Embassy of Brazil in London