WTO gives preliminary OK to 2020 budget that would slash Appellate Body funds

The World Trade Organization’s budget committee on Thursday approved a spending plan for next year -- including sharp cuts to funding for the soon-to-be-paralyzed Appellate Body. The budget must still be approved by the WTO General Council, which will convene for its last meeting of the year next week. If approved, the WTO’s overall budget will remain at $197 million -- the same level funding it has had for about 10 years, according to WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell. However, the...