Ways and Means Committee Passes Resolution Supporting WTO Reforms
A bipartisan resolution supporting the administration's desire to get reforms to the World Trade Organization, but also urging that the Geneva delegation work with other countries, passed the House Ways and Means Committee on Dec. 17. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., a leader on free trade in the Democratic caucus, co-authored the bill. He told fellow committee members that he is talking to the Senate to see if they will raise a similar resolution.
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Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., said it was a “terrible decision” to kill the appellate body at the WTO by blocking appointments, even though he understands the longtime frustrations with how the appellate body operates. “We are worse off without it,” he said. “Already we are seeing other major nations recreating the appellate body without us.“
Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., another free-trade advocate, said that while the resolution focuses on the shortcomings of the appellate body, she feels it's important to recall important work the WTO is doing -- negotiating on an end to fishing subsidies to prevent overfishing, and the trade facilitation plurilateral agreement that passed in recent years.
Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., said she couldn't support the resolution, because it didn't instruct the administration to bring forward a proposal that would satisfy its concerns so the appellate body can be revived. “The binding dispute settlement system is the beating heart of the WTO system,” she said. “Through its brazen actions the Trump administration is driving a stake through its heart.” She said that without the ability to appeal cases, countries will resort to mini-trade wars.