The EU, which is working bilaterally with China, last month floated ideas on how to change the trade body. In the line of U.S. fire is the WTO Appellate Body, considered by some as the Geneva-based organization's crown jewel. Shea also says the appellate body has strayed from its original mandate by adding new powers and not meeting deadlines for cases. "The U.S. has made clear that it will continue to block new appointments to the Appellate Body until its long-standing concerns are addressed satisfactorily. "I expect the U.S. to stand firm on this pledge, even if it means paralyzing the Appellate Body," he said.

Source: ABC News October 22, 2018 15:33 UTC