Debate Erupts Over U.S. Blocking Korean Appellate Body Reappointment

The United States will block the reappointment of Korea's Seung Wha Chang to the World Trade Organization’s Appellate Body because of his involvement in decisions that, in the view of the United States, expand the scope of obligations members must take under WTO agreements. Critics say this move could endanger the independence of the Appellate Body, but current and former USTR officials, as well two U.S. legal experts, stressed that the Appellate Body has consistently overstepped its authority to such...