How does WTO ensure that its members respect their commitments and obligations? How does the WTO dispute settlement system work?
A. Each member country has the right of redress in cases where its trading interests are nullified or impaired, for example by an illegal measure taken by another country. This right is guaranteed through the WTO dispute settlement system, which was considerably improved in the Uruguay Round. Only WTO member governments have access to this system; private companies (exporters, importers or other persons) cannot directly approach the WTO. Complaints must be channelled through governments; each government examines the facts and evidence put forward by private parties before deciding whether to bring the case to the WTO. The different phases of the dispute settlement process are as follows: Initially, the complaining country requests and holds bilateral consultations with the country concerning the measure in question. These consultations are aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution to the problem. If consultations fail, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) will, upon request, est
