Trump's disdain casts unease over World Trade Organization summit

Source: Politico-Europe



In the past, the right — and might — of the United States was often enough to tempt even the most defensive of countries to sit down and agree to pry open their markets.

By MEGAN CASSELLA 12/9/17, 10:00 AM CET Updated 12/10/17, 11:34 AM CET

WASHINGTON — Instead of relying on the United States as a standard-bearer for open markets, the approaching World Trade Organization ministers’ conference will have to deal with its newfound protectionism.

Thousands of government trade officials from more than 160 member countries convene in Buenos Aires on Sunday for a four-day event meant to strengthen the global trading body and advance the goals of the WTO.

“The big fear is that instead of just a sort of stalemate, it could be the U.S. taking even more negative steps,” said Kim Elliott, a visiting fellow with the Center for Global Development. “I think most people are just hoping for it not to be a disaster.”

Several participants have said their goals for the event center less on taking steps to improve the rules-based system and more on making sure they are able to preserve the status quo — while faced with threats from the United States about blocking the functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement court.

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-trade-disdain-for-system-casts-unease-over-wto/