The European Union's leader is calling on the United States to make a stronger commitment to addressing climate change during an upcoming meeting of major industrialized countries in Japan. Despite some progress in aligning views on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there are still significant differences between the EU and the US on how to achieve this goal. Without increased ambition from President George W. Bush, it is unlikely that meaningful progress will be made until late next year, when countries will need to negotiate a new U.N. climate change agreement. The next round of U.N. climate talks will be held in Poland in December, but the US will be going through a presidential transition at that time. Barroso stated that the world expects more from a major economy like the United States, expressing his belief that the U.S. will agree to a more ambitious conclusion at the G8 summit than the previous year. Last year, leaders of the wealthiest countries agreed to consider halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The EU is now pushing for the G8 to set this goal in stone and agree on a target for reducing emissions by 2020, although officials in Brussels acknowledge that the Bush administration is unlikely to support a short-term goal. Barroso emphasized that a 2050 target would lack credibility without a more immediate goal in place as well. He stated that he anticipated the next U.S. president to further support the change in Washington's stance towards measures that have already been approved by the EU. The EU, consisting of 27 nations, has agreed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 and is currently developing regulations on emissions from industries, vehicles, aircraft, and other laws to achieve that goal. The United States has expressed its dedication to combating climate change, but is unwilling to commit to mandatory emission reductions until major developing countries like China and India also agree to enforceable limits.