Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says the dispute between rich and poor nations that has stalled global trade talks could be resolved this month.
Mr. da Silva says U.S. President George Bush told him Saturday that an agreement should be finalized in the next 30 days. The leaders discussed global trade and energy issues during a visit by Mr. da Silva to the U.S. presidential retreat in Maryland.
During Mr. da Silva's weekly radio address Monday, he said he would contact the leaders of Britain and Germany to try to pull the European Union back to the negotiating table with the U.S. and the Group of 20 developing nations, of which Brazil is a member.
Mr. Bush has said he is committed to a fair global trade deal. Washington has not commented on President da Silva's latest comments.
The Doha round of the World Trade Organization talks stalled in July after rich nations refused to cut farm subsidies and poor countries expressed reluctance to open up their manufacturing and service sectors.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
