WTO Less Than Two Weeks Away From Breakdown

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The World Trade Organization (WTO) is less than two weeks away from the uncharted territory as its global equivalent to the U.S. Supreme Court ceases to exist. The WTO’s Appellate Body (WTOAB) is a standing body of seven delegates that hears appeals in disputes brought on by member countries. The Body can uphold, modify or reverse the legal findings and conclusions of a panel, and their final report, once adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), must be accepted by the parties to the dispute. However, to function, the Body must have at least three current members. Each member is appointed by the DSB to serve a four-year term, with the possibility of being reappointed once. New members are appointed by member-countries but the United States has been blocking all nominees in an attempt to force an overhaul of the WTO. If no resolution is found, the term of one of the three remaining members ends on November 30th and the remaining two terms will expire on December 10th. In the interim, both Canada and the European Union (UN) have proposed a work-around to replicate the WTOAB whereby former WTO judges will hear the appeals.