WTO争端方以双边协议解决多边程序问题——以DSU“适用顺序”为视角

WTO Members in Disputes Solving Multilateral Procedural Problems by Reaching Bilateral Agreement:From the Perspective of the DSU Sequencing Issue

《关于争端解决规则与程序的谅解》(DSU)对第21.5条和第22条在程序适用上孰先孰后缺乏明确规定,且两条款项下的程序时限还存在冲突。WTO首例涉及"适用顺序"问题的案件通过将第21.5条程序并入第22条程序的"妥协"模式解决这一多边问题,但此案之后,包括中国在内的40多起案件的争端方,则在争端解决过程中通过达成适用于个案的双边协议模式解决,本文通过梳理总结已有的WTO争端解决实践对如何从根本上解决DSU适用顺序问题提出建议。

The sequencing issue arising between Article 21.5 and 22 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes first occurred in 'European Communities–Regime for the Importation,Sale and Distribution of Bananas' and was solved by consolidating Article 21.5 proceeding into Article 22.6 arbitration process.Thereafter,WTO parties in disputes including China in over 40 cases reached ad hoc bilateral sequencing agreement applicable to individual disputes to facilitate their dispute settlement.Proposal to solution of the multilateral procedural problem is offered based on the dispute settlement practices.