Trade delegates in Geneva had an intensive agenda last Friday during a meeting of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) at the organisation’s headquarters. Notably, members debated how to resolve an impasse over filling vacancies at the top global trade court, particularly given that a fourth slot on the seven-member body may become vacant this autumn unless the situation is fixed. According to a Geneva trade official, much of the debate last week centred on a US suggestion to treat Appellate Body reports issued after the established 90-day deadline as non-binding unless all members endorse them, which drew pushback from many other delegations. The discussions on 22 June mark the latest episode in an evolving debate over how to lessen the strains on the highest global trade court, particularly in a time of growing geopolitical tensions on trade. Going back to the GATT era? The Appellate Body is a seven-member group that functions as the WTO’s highest adjudicative body. Each member serves a four-year term, with the possibility of a one-time renewal. The group has not been able to work with its full capacity for over a year now, given that three seats are currently vacant. The number may increase...