Several African countries have joined the list of nations calling out for an end to a U.S. veto on judicial appointments at the World Trade Organization, reported Reuters.
The African Group of 43 countries issued a statement on Wednesday confirms a large majority of WTO member states now openly oppose the US position at the leading global organization on trade. 114 out of the WTO’s 163 member countries are now seeking an immediate end to the US veto.
“The African Group is acutely aware that an urgent solution is required to ensure the effective functioning of the WTO’s Appellate Body as a legitimate forum where all Members can exercise equal opportunity in enforcing their rights,” the African Group said in the statement.
“We urge (WTO) members to engage in a solution-based approach and call on members to fill the vacancies on the Appellate Body immediately.”
The United States is restricting new appointments to the WTO Appellate Body as it says members of the WTO have strayed from their role, overstepped their mandate and disobeyed their own procedural rules.
In the opinion of the critics, the U.S. President Donald Trump wants to neutralize a court that has the power to override U.S. law. They argue that that the U.S. officials want revenge for the rulings that were made against U.S. tariffs.
Notably, the WTO’s Appellate Body needs three members to hear each appeal in international trade disputes. But after term expirations next month, it will come down to one member, which means countries may be able to avoid trade enforcement because any appealed dispute would go into legal limbo.
Most African nations have remained silent on the issue until now. While the shift in numbers won’t affect the United States’ right to wield its veto, it shows Washington is becoming increasingly isolated in its position.
