The European Union will put all its present tariffs up for negotiation in a new round of trade liberalisation talks expected to start next year, Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan said yesterday.

In a speech to a conference on development at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), he said the launching of another round was necessary in the present global economic climate. He said Brussels would vigorously support the rights of all WTO members to propose any item of concern for the agenda for the negotiations.