Iowa stood to gain new trading partners in the World Trade Organization talks which collapsed on Sunday, a situation Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley calls extremely disappointing. Grassley says India and Brazil fronted a sort of revolt among several other countries that are labeled as developing. Grassley says, “They have led an effort of these 21 nations to rebel against any discussion of agriculture until their preconditions are met by, mostly Europe but to some extent the United States, to reduce subsidies for agriculture.” He says the W-T-O talks were an historic opportunity to advance the cause of free trade and open markets. “Unfortunately, some participants seemed to be more satisfied with hollow rhetoric than real negotiation.” Grassley, a Republican, says “At every stage of the process, the United States has been ready, willing, and able to negotiate. I wish I could say the same of some of the other W-T-O members.” Grassley says diplomats were trying to help developing nations help themselves, and if they don’t see a need and want to block the effort, “they’re the ones to be harmed.” Grassley is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over international trade policy in the U.S. Senate. He says “The United States evaluates potential partners for free trade agreements on an ongoing basis. I’ll take note of those nations that played a constructive role in Cancun, and those nations that didn’t.”