Chances to reach consensus on WTO dispute settlement body reforms 'low' in next meet: GTRI
consensus next month on reforming the dispute settlement system of the global trade body as there are wide differences over the issue between developed and developing countries, a GTRI report said on Sunday. The trade minister of the 164-member World Trade Organisation (WTO) will gather in Abu Dhabi in February for the 13th ministerial conference (MC) to resolve different issues such as reforms in dispute settlement mechanisms, agriculture-related matters and a moratorium on customs duties on e-commerce trade.
«Reaching a consensus on reform of the dispute settlement system is complex, with developed and developing countries holding different priorities and concerns,» economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said.
It said that balancing India's demands for an appellate body, S&DT (special and differential treatment) provisions, and fairness while addressing other members' concerns, including transparency and legal certainty, will require significant compromise and negotiation.
GTRI Co-Founder Ajay Srivastava said that for India, reforming the dispute settlement system remains a crucial priority at the upcoming MC13. MC is the highest decision-making body of the global trade watchdog.
Reforming the dispute settlement mechanism is essential, as without a reliable way to resolve conflicts between countries, WTO rules are ineffective.
«The US, a frequent participant in WTO disputes, has been obstructing the process due to dissatisfaction with inefficiencies and perceived overreaches by the WTO's judiciary,» he said.
Since 2017, the US has been blocking the appointment of new judges to the WTO's seven-member appellate court, leading to 29 unresolved appeals.
«This stalemate highlights the need for
