The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union

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European Research Paper
The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union (EU) are equally important organizations in their regional areas of jurisdiction. The two institutions perform different functions although at times these functions may clash and influence one institution considering their position. Past accounts have indicated significant intrusion of the WTO's functions into the economic and political autonomy of the EU and its member states. This assertion comes as a result of the various shifts in treaties, agreements, and policies in the EU and its member states (Keaten, and Wiseman). The WTO was established in 1995 (Crowley 42) and over the years, the organization has been frequent in the news coverage.
For instance, there are reports that it seeks to expand its member states. Besides, there are media reports identifying crucial issues as crucial to the existence of the organization and ones that are likely to tear it apart. An example is a constant disagreement between the EU and the United States (US) over matters such as U.S. corporate taxation, special steel tariffs, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These issues among others justify the presence of demonstrators on various WTO conventions (Smith). However, the interaction between the WTO and EU has been significant as they endear each other to creating a great trading mechanism across the globe.
The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body in the WTO. This element of the WTO meets every two years and is a convergence center for all WTO members. The body is influential in primary decisions under any of the multilateral trade agreements. The EU trade commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, makes relentless pursuit in establishing an ambitious trade agenda that favors regional citizens (European Commission). She is the representative of the EU in the Ministerial Conference. Moreover, the European Commission is also present in the General Council of the WTO and the subsidiary WTO bodies. The Council of the EU permits the Commission to negotiate on their behalf. Moreover, the Council provides the green light and the formal authorization to the Commission when they find the negotiations are suitable. However, their position can be compromised at times as they are up against almost every state across the globe. Some of their conditions may fail to meet the necessary threshold as it may affect other countries adversely.
The trade dispute settlement strategy defines one of the most essential achievements of the WTO. The organization’s ability to consolidate its Dispute Settlement Body has provided the required an avenue through which trade disputes can be resolved and eventually, enforce the decision made. This mechanism consists of predefined rules that enable member states, regardless of their economic status or else political weight, to lodge complains when they deem that a particular principle has been breached (Shaffer, Mosoti, and Qureshi 15). Countries are assured of reparation using this body to guarantee that they are not disadvantaged in any way. Eventually, few unilateral defense measures that many nations retreated to have reduced significantly. These measures were great...