The Doha Development Dysfunction: Problems of the WTO Multilateral Trading System

This Note argues that WTO member nations should use bilateral and regional trade agreements to solve key issues facing the Doha Round negotiations in order to lower trade barriers and foster a climate of free trade necessary to resurrect the stalled Doha Round. Several problems including the WTO’s lack of authority to enforce DSU decisions, protectionist trade measures, and the single undertaking have threatened the long term stability of the WTO’s multilateral trading system. However, if bilateral and regional trade agreements were used to solve key issues, much like they were used by the United States in the 1970s, WTO member nations would have a legitimate opportunity to end the Doha Round stalemate once and for all