The World Trade Organisation (WTO) serves as the guardian of free and rules-based world trade. Unfortunately, the multilateral organization finds itself confronted by significant challenges. The central problem is the discord among the 164 member states. In the light of rampant protectionism, state interventions, and national go-it-alone strategies, the WTO must move forward on key sticking points to ensure a global level playing field.

The dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is in deep crisis as the United States blocked the appointment of members to the Appellate Body (AB). As a result, there is no central decision-making authority to solve trade conflicts. The EU has responded by revising its Enforcement Regulation and by creating an Interim Appellate Body with a “coalition of the willing.”

The European Union and its Member States are founding members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Today, the European Commission represents the entire EU in the multilateral organisation with one voice. The Commission advocates for comprehensive reform of the WTO.

The accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001 raised hopes around the world that the multilateral trading order would serve as a catalyst for far-reaching structural reforms. These hopes have largely been disappointed.

The United States is one of the founding fathers and architects of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva but also one of the most notorious critics of the multilateral trade system. It is largely responsible for the blockade of the Appellate Body of the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism. Why is this, and could this change under the new U.S. President Joe Biden?

Modern technology in the household, office or production process enables a comfortable, efficient, and future-oriented life. However, a rapid spread of innovative solution cannot be taken for granted. Often, high customs barriers make these products more expensive. The solution sounds simple: tariff reductions. However, these require a committed and compromise-oriented approach by the international community. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) achieved an important breakthrough with the conclusion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA and ITA II).