After 23 Years, WTO On Brink of Collapse

(GENEVA, SWITZERLAND) At the end of this month, the terms of two members of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Appellate Body will end. With this comes an interesting scenario as there will only be one member left on the seven-person panel that hears and rules on trade disputes between countries. Since a dispute hearing requires three members to help settle the trade disputes, the future of the 23-year old WTO appears in doubt. Members are voted on by WTO members but the United States has been blocking all past nominees in an effort to force reform of the organization. This comes as the U.S. has lost a dispute with Mexico regarding Mexican exports of “dolphin-safe” tuna, and as the Settlement Body considers a U.S. complaint against unfair Chinese farm quotas.