The discussion in Session IV of the thematic speeches at the Fifth “Forum on Foreign-related Rule of Law” of the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) was chaired by Professor Yang Guohua of Tsinghua University School of Law. Professors Gong Xiangqian of the School of Law, Beijing Institute of Technology; Prof. Ji Wenhua WTO Co-Chair at UIBE; and Chen Weidong, Deputy Director of the Institute for Foreign-related Rule of Law, UIBE, delivered thematic speeches in succession. During the discussant segment, Peng Jun, Senior Partner at Jincheng Tongda & Neal (JT&N) Law Firm, served as discussant and provided commentary.

Prof. Ji Wenhua delivered a speech titled “Recommendations on Better Using the WTO Mechanism to Respond to U.S. Unilateral Trade Measures.” In his remarks, Professor Ji first emphasized that the World Trade Organization (WTO) can still play an important role. Second, in the face of U.S. unilateral trade measures, he pointed out that many WTO Members are currently in a vacillating state: various parties tend to reach self-interested bilateral arrangements with the United States but are easily susceptible to U.S. coercion. If parties continue to shoulder pressure individually, lacking a global perspective and a joint response, the multilateral system (the multilateral trading system, MTS) could head toward the worst-case outcome; the United States is intensifying such antagonism, giving rise to the risk that the WTO will “survive in name only.” Finally, to safeguard the multilateral system, Professor Ji suggested that China consider taking the initiative—making the first move—by proactively rallying more Members, using the WTO platform to build consensus, and putting forward initiatives such as opposing unilateral tariff increases and pledging to abide by WTO rules while ensuring that the rights and interests of third parties are not harmed. In doing so, China can lead Members in strengthening collective response capacity and help prevent more serious damage to the WTO.

Link: https://law.uibe.edu.cn/xwzx/xzhd/4efc568191ad4eb4a37b6bfbcbea4a3c.htm