What, then, remains of East Asia's longstanding commitment to multilateral trade negotiations, embodied in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its forebears?

ECONOMIST: It��s security, stupid | The

The opposition to new trade talks heard from Geneva diplomats reflects, I believe, frustration that the United States, Europe, and Japan have not been able to agree on an agenda for those talks that would strengthen their own commitment to a rules-based multilateral system.

ECONOMIST: By Invitation

"The UK has already cancelled all debts owed to it by Haiti and I strongly welcome today's G7 commitment to forgive Haiti's remaining multilateral debt, " he added.

BBC: G7 nations pledge debt relief for quake-hit Haiti

But it is a choice about their own identity and about signing up to a European view on the world - whether it's the Kyoto protocol or whether it's the international criminal court or whether it's a commitment to working through the UN and through multilateral institutions whenever possible.

BBC: Breakfast with Frost