The Trump administration's stance on the World Trade Organization (WTO) has sparked widespread speculation about the future of US involvement in the global trade body. Recently, the WTO revealed that the US has fallen into the "Category 1" arrears. However, the organization has developed contingency plans to ensure the continuation of its daily operations. Meanwhile, some members of the US Congress have called for the country to withdraw from the WTO.
In response, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala addressed the matter during a press conference on April 16, stating that the US has informed the WTO and its member states that it intends to appoint a new ambassador to the organization. She further noted that the person the US has chosen is expected to be one of the US's best ambassadors yet.
Previously, the Trump administration nominated Joseph Barloon, a former official at the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), to serve as the US Permanent Representative to the WTO. As Okonjo-Iweala mentioned, Barloon's official appointment remains subject to Congressional approval.
In recent interviews with reporters, multiple trade scholars and international relations experts expressed skepticism that the US would leave the WTO. They noted that while US tariff policies have already violated the Most Favored Nation principle, a withdrawal from the WTO would leave the US in a disadvantageous position in global trade.
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