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Opening the World Trade Organization (WTO) to the public
will foster better understanding and acceptance of the
organization.
A more open WTO would allow the public to see how the
organization works to secure the benefits of trade.
- “Greater public scrutiny of WTO dispute settlement
proceedings would confirm that the procedures for
resolving trade disputes are honest, fair and impartial,”
according to James Bacchus, former chairman of the
WTO appellate body and congressman from Florida.
- An open-door policy would dispel unfounded fears
and counter misinformation by those who are opposed
to worldwide economic engagement and who often portray
the WTO in a distorted manner.
In the Doha Round of negotiations, the United States
is proposing to clarify and improve the understanding
of WTO rules and procedures that govern the settle-ment
of disputes by:
- Opening Hearings: The public would be able
to observe all substan-tive panel, appellate body
and major council meetings of the WTO.
- Timely Access to Submissions: All briefs
and hearing remarks would be made public, except those
sections dealing with confidential or proprietary
information.
- Timely Access to Final Panel Reports: Final
panel reports would be made available to WTO members
and the public once reports are distributed to the
contesting parties.
- Amicus Curiae Submissions: Guidelines to
establish procedures for handling amicus submissions
would be developed.
- Openness to Stakeholders: WTO members would
consult and inter-act more with stakeholders, such
as the private sector, civic society groups and other
international organizations.
These proposals build on past U.S. efforts to shine
more light on WTO dispute settlement proceedings.
- In 2000, the United States was the first WTO member
to make available its dispute settlement briefs on
the Internet shortly after submission. A number of
WTO members have followed the U.S. example and made
their briefs publicly accessible following submission.
- In 1998, the United States successfully argued
that amicus submissions are authorized under existing
WTO dispute resolution rules.
The United States is a leader in advocating greater
openness at the WTO.
James Bacchus, Former Chairman of the Appellate Body
and Congressman from Florida (1991–95), “Open Up the
WTO,” Washington Post, Section A25, February,
20, 2004.
Robert B. Zoellick, “Committed in Cancun,” Wall
Street Journal, September 8, 2003.
Romain Wacziarg and Karen Horn Welch, “Trade Liberalization
and Growth: New Evidence,” Stanford Research Paper
No. 1826, November 2003.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis,
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, Exhibit
1, March 10, 2004.
Ibid, Office of the United States Trade Representative,
“America and the World Trade Organization.”
Ibid, “United States Proposes Greater Openness
for WTO Disputes,” August 9, 2002.
World Trade Organization, “The Multilateral Trading
System: 50 Years of Achievement,” 1998.
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