EU Weighs Changes to WTO Rules to Appease U.S.
- EU Commission memo seeks changes to WTO dispute rule book
- WTO dispute settlement role seen to be in ‘grave danger’
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The European Commission proposed ways to resolve the Trump administration’s concerns over the functioning of the World Trade Organization, in a bid to avert a looming crisis that could undermine the WTO’s ability to arbitrate trade disputes.
“The dispute settlement function of the WTO is at grave danger, and swift action by members is needed to preserve it,” according to an internal memo drafted by the EU’s executive arm and seen by Bloomberg. The memo, dated July 5, has been circulated to the European Union’s 28 national governments and is subject to consultations and approval.