However, any student of international trade law would know that just as the AB has ruled against the US, so as it has done for the US, too. As the world’s leading economy, in a bilateral trade negotiation, the USA would have more clout over the other party. However, most economists agree that more and more bilateral trade agreements with their different rules and regulations increase trade costs. Thus, the stalling of the WTO AB may not really even serve the best interest of the US. And may breed chaos and uncertainty among the WTO members.

Source: Bangkok Post February 11, 2018 19:52 UTC