Uncertainty for the future of the WTO (World Trade Organization)

WTO, the World Trade Organization, is the only international organization with a global vocation which deals with the rules governing trade between the 164 member states. But recently, the body responsible for settling interstate trade disputes has been paralyzed.

 

 

 

Founded in 1995, WTO deals with rules governing trade between member states. At the WTO, a body, the DSB (Dispute Settlement Body) plays the role of a "Supreme Court" which can confirm, modify or reverse the findings and render a decision which has the force of law for both parties involved.

 

 

 

But since Wednesday, December 11, the DSB has been paralyzed for lack of a sufficient number of judges. For months, the United States has exercised its right of veto and blocked all appointments to vacancies and it has not wished to appoint 2 new judges to replace those whose terms expired on December 10. No longer having the necessary quorum, the DSB can no longer function.

 

 

 

This unprecedented situation leads to great uncertainty and suggests the proliferation of new bilateral agreements between states.