The world trading system faces significant challenges due to proposed tariffs by the U.S. president, notably a 60% tariff on China. These actions threaten to disrupt global trade and create tensions among member nations, as they debate their responses to this situation, per commentary from Peterson Institute for International Economics. 

The issue:  

The core challenge is the potential disintegration of the rules-based international trade system, exacerbated by the proposed tariffs. A leadership deficit at the WTO has left member nations unsure about how to address trade imbalances and maintain cooperation.

What they recommend:  

No recommendations provided in the commentary.

Go deeper:  

The WTO has faced serious institutional problems, including the inability to achieve binding agreements comparable to those established during the Uruguay Round 30 years ago. Without binding dispute resolution mechanisms, there is skepticism about the WTO’s effectiveness in managing future trade conflicts. It is noted that even with a leadership void, there is still hope for a coalition of willing nations to bolster the trading system moving forward.

This is a brief overview of a speech from Peterson Institute for International Economics. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full speech.