In the midst of global trade tensions, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the EU Heads of State and Government with ideas for organisations designed to fill the gaps left by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Geneva-based organisation has been paralysed for many years in terms of dispute settlement, due to the refusal of the United States to appoint judges to the Appellate Body.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Ms von der Leyen’s announcements, a subject he said he had already discussed with his French and British counterparts. “Can’t we work with our trading partners around the world to gradually put in place something that institutionally replaces the WTO, namely that we develop dispute settlement mechanisms?”, suggested Mr Merz, who deemed that the WTO was no longer fulfilling its role sufficiently.
“We can see this as the beginning of a redefinition of the WTO, by understanding what needs to be reformed and not repeating the same mistakes”, explained the President of the European Commission.
For Mr Merz, as for Ms von der Leyen, the initiative could come from the European Union. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal with the editorial staff)