Modernizing the World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is experiencing a crisis of legitimacy — trade wars rage on and the Appellate Body is unable to function. With negotiations at a standstill and disagreements on fundamental issues widening, the WTO is struggling to respond effectively to the challenges of rapid economic, political, social, technological and environmental change. Overcoming these urgent challenges will require a great deal of political will and international cooperation from member states. In this essay series — which is also published as a collection — authors examine where the WTO is falling short, consider the opportunities that lie ahead and discuss options for a modernized WTO.