New Democrat Coalition Members Urge Lighthizer to Allow WTO Appellate Body Appointments
Yesterday, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Trade Task Force Co-Chairs Rick Larsen and Gregory W. Meeks led New Democrat Coalition Members on a letter urging United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer to allow for the appointments of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Appellate Body. Absent a global order, the international trade system which the U.S. helped create could be thrown into disarray.
The Trump Administration has deliberately blocked the appointments of members to the WTO’s Appellate Body, in essence rendering it ineffective. The WTO prevents protectionism and trade wars internationally and is the sole international trade organization with the tools for trade enforcement and trade remedies.
“A non-functioning WTO will hurt international commerce and the reputation of the United States. Other Members of the WTO have already spoken out against our actions. The United States wins more cases in the WTO than any other country,” the letter reads. “While there are valid concerns with the WTO Appellate Body and dispute settlement process, by blocking these appointments, we are hurting our own interests.”
New Democrat Coalition Members are committed to global engagement and smart trade policy that benefit American workers, businesses, and consumers. We look forward to working with Ambassador Lighthizer to ensure a functioning WTO Appellate Body.
Read the full letter here or below.
March 19, 2018
The Honorable Robert E. Lighthizer
Ambassador
United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20508
Dear Ambassador Lighthizer,
As Members of the New Democrat Coalition who are committed to global engagement and smart trade policy that works for American workers, businesses and consumers, we are very concerned the administration is blocking appointments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body.
The WTO was created in 1995 with the help of the United States after the Cold War to establish high standards for international commerce and trade. The WTO serves a critical purpose of preventing protectionism and trade wars internationally. WTO is the sole international trade organization with the tools to ensure there are mechanisms for trade enforcement and trade remedies. International trade would not work without the WTO, which is why there are 76 Members of the WTO, including the United States. Two-thirds of the nations that benefit from this body are developing countries.
A non-functioning WTO will hurt international commerce and the reputation of the United States. Other Members of the WTO have already spoken out against our actions. The United States wins more cases in the WTO than any other country. While there are valid concerns with the WTO Appellate Body and dispute settlement process, by blocking these appointments, we are hurting our own interests.
Please allow for the appointments of the Appellate Body so global order in international commerce and the system we set up can continue to thrive.
Sincerely,
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