Portman, Cardin push resolution endorsing WTO reforms, leadership

摘要

Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) last week introduced a resolution calling for the U.S. to play a leading role in the reform of the World Trade Organization and warning of "non-market economies" that are "hostile to the U.S." filling a leadership void in Geneva. Portman is a former U.S. Trade Representative who sits on the Senate Finance Committee along with Cardin. The resolution outlines a long list of U.S. complaints about the WTO - especially the Appellate Body. According to the resolution, the Appellate Body has failed to allow free-market economies to respond "to globally trade distortive practices by nonmarket economies." The resolution also endorses the administration's position that Appellate Body overreach has led to the paralysis of the WTO's negotiating arm because members are turning to the dispute settlement system to seek concessions instead of trying to negotiate outcomes.