GENEVA, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - The United States is 'very concerned' about the direction taken by certain countries at negotiations here on a global trade deal, warning that it could 'jeopardise' the outcome of the talks.

'We're very much concerned about the direction that a couple of countries are taking,' said US Trade Representative Susan Schwab after a five-hour meeting with representatives from India, China, the European Union, Australia, Brazil and Japan.

Schwab said one party was against an agreement worked out by a majority of the group on Friday night, while another was now 'backtracking' on an earlier commitment to the group of seven leading trade powers.

Schwab did not name names, but in a morning session, the United States accused India and China of threatening to shatter a fragile deal reached by key parties on Friday.

'That's a real risk because those countries are advocating selectively reopening the package. Therefore there is a real threat to a delicate balance we've achieved on Friday night and I'm concerned it will jeopardise the outcome of this round,' said Schwab.

Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath insisted that he had never signed up to the compromise package brokered by WTO head Pascal Lamy, but that he was 'still optimistic' a deal could be reached.

'There is no doubt in anyone's mind... that at the start on Friday, I'd said that India does not agree,' Nath said.

'On all elements of the package we have serious concerns, starting from trade distorting subsidies going into the non-mentioning of cotton,' he added.

The marathon bargaining is aimed at securing consensus on measures to reduce barriers to global commerce under the Doha Development Agenda, launched in the Qatari capital seven years ago.

The talks have foundered since then, with developing countries pressing for lower import tariffs on farm produce and lower subsidies in developed countries.

The industrial world in turn is demanding greater access to emerging markets for manufactured goods and services.

'Developed countries are asking for flexibilities for commerical interests. Developing countries are looking to protect the poor and for provisions that will help them out of poverty,' Nath charged.

However, he added: 'The good news is that we're continuing to negotiate.'