Walden Bello argues that despite the rhetoric, developed and developing countries are closer to a new trade deal than we would think. Positions on services and access to industrial goods is closer than initially proclaimed, and small concessions by EU and the US to open up restrictions on skilled immigrant labour and to phase out agricultural export subsidies over a long time-table could prompt further movement and a deal that would harm the poor. He urges civil society to stand together to put pressure on Southern governments not to sign up to a bad deal.   more »