Trade Conflicts: Whither the WTO?

The WTO is in a state of crisis. Yet its problems did not start with the Trump Administration. And although this has been the focus of much criticism from the United States, the Appellate Body should not be the priority in reforming the WTO. More differentiation amongst its members and its rules is needed, to reflect varying levels of development. In addition, more room for plurilaterals ought to be created. China’s atypical economic model ought to be reconciled with the WTO’s market-orientation. This can be done through an update of its Protocol of Accession to the WTO, or perhaps through a newly conceived plurilateral agreement. Such a bridging mechanism would reflect a renewed engagement of China with the WTO, and could help to recommit the United States to a rules-based system. The EU should take initiatives to make this happen. Appellate Body, China, Developing countries, Dispute settlement, EU trade policy, Made in 2025, Non-market economy, Plurilaterals, Protocol of Accession to the WTO, Special and Differential Treatment, State capitalism, State-owned enterprises, US trade policy, WTO-crisis