On its face, the battle over the reappointment of a judge to the World Trade Organization's appellate board is an obscure, technical controversy that would hardly ripple across Lake Geneva. In fact, however, the United States' opposition to a second term for Chang Seung-wha threatens potentially fatal consequences for the world trade body.
The WTO has served as the central mechanism for setting and enforcing global trade rules since its establishment in 1995. It has provided the primary venue for international trade negotiations since it superseded the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, although it has limited success in this regard. In 2001, WTO members launched the Doha Development Round of trade talks, which have labored since then without conclusion. Most governments consider the Doha talks to be dead and only fear of the consequences prevents official recognition of its failure.
Despite frustrations over its role as convener of global trade talks, the WTO is applauded for its role in ensuring that trade deals are enforced and that disputes between members are resolved in ways that reinforce the global trade order. Some call the dispute settlement mechanism the WTO's "golden jewels."