Biden could revive but not reset WTO

Calls for reforming the WTO grew louder even before Donald Trump took centre-stage in the US

On the first day of the Biden administration, the US rejoined the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Accord, thus affirming its commitment to multilateralism. In due course, this administration may resuscitate the World Trade Organization (WTO) by allowing the appointment of its new chief and requisite number of judges in the appellate forum of its dispute resolution body (DSB).

However, it may be a long time before the question of strengthening the multilateral rules-based trading system at the WTO comes up.

The WTO was established in 1995 following eight years of arduous Uruguay Round negotiations between members of the erstwhile GATT