Impasse over dispute settlement system likely to end: WTO deputy director-general Angela Ellard
Angela Ellard said negotiations are on to resolve the impasse about the dispute settlement system, to make it fully functional and accessible to all by 2024. She also said WTO's dispute settlement mechanism «created a path» for India and the US to mutually resolve their disputes.
«The resolution of the US-India disputes is a very welcome development.
I think the dispute settlement mechanism here in the WTO created a path for that resolution,» she said, adding that these are all examples of how having a dispute settlement system helps members resolve their conflicts.
The US and India have agreed to resolve their seven outstanding disputes at the WTO. These related to poultry imports from the US, countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures related to solar cells and modules, measures related to the renewable energy sector, India's export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products and additional duties on some products from the US.
On the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), which is an alternative system to resolve WTO disputes, she said: «It's my observation that members haven't said that we have the MPIA, so we don't need to worry about reforming the system.»
Her statement assumes significance as WTO reform takes centre stage ahead of the 13th ministerial conference next year.
MPIA has 30-odd members at present.
Indian officials have said it is the country's principled stand to not go to the MPIA. There is no Appellate Body Division available at present to deal with the appeals due to the ongoing lack of agreement among WTO members on the filling up of vacancies in the body.
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