世界需要一个运行正常的多边贸易争端解决机制

A Normally-functioning Settlement Mechanism for Multilateral Trade Dispute is in Need

世界贸易组织“争端解决谅解”机制建立了国际贸易争端的解决原则和解决程序,鼓励通过协商的方式解决国际贸易争端,并设立专家组和上诉机构,对协商无法解决的贸易争端案件进行审理。在此之外,美国通过自由贸易协定为解决其与世界贸易组织成员方之间的贸易争端提供了一个选项,且大多数的美国自由贸易协定包含“投资者—国家争端解决机制”。但目前美国的“投资者—国家争端解决机制”存在争议,近期美国又对世界贸易组织贸易争端解决机制提出质疑,世界贸易组织贸易争端解决机制面临可能消亡的风险或发生重大变革。美国政府应当认识到,美国和世界都需要一个能够正常运行的多边贸易解决机制。

The WTO's"Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes"establishes principles and procedures for the settlement of international trade disputes,encourages the settlement of international trade disputes through consultations,and founds panels and an appellate body to hear cases of trade disputes that cannot be resolved through consultations.In addition,the U.S.provides an option for resolving the trade disputes between itself and WTO members by way of free trade agreements(FTAs),and most of the American FTAs include an"investor-state dispute settlement mechanism".However,with the current controversy over investor-state dispute settlement mechanism of the U.S.,the U.S.raises challenges to the WTO trade dispute settlement mechanism recently,the trade dispute settlement mechanism of WTO is at risk of dying or undergoing significant changes.The U.S.government should recognize a normally-functioning multilateral trade settlement mechanism is in need for both itself and the world.