This NPR Indicator podcast episode examines the decline of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a global trade dispute mediator, focusing on the U.S.'s role in its dysfunction. The episode traces the U.S.'s growing dissatisfaction with the WTO, starting with concerns about China's exploitation of developing-country exemptions and culminating in the U.S. blocking the appointment of new members to the WTO's appellate body, rendering it effectively paralyzed. The podcast highlights the resulting shift towards regional trade agreements, exemplified by the 2022 ARCEP deal and a recent EU-South American agreement, suggesting a future of international cooperation less centered on the U.S. Despite its current state, the WTO still offers value in areas like transparency and providing guidance on issues such as bird flu. The U.S.'s actions have created a significant void in the global trade dispute resolution system.
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Why there's no referee for the trade war | The Indicator from Planet Money | Podwise
