Matt Grudnoff
Senior Economist

We would have a strong case, but it would also be pointless.

Why? Because the US has stripped the WTO’s ability to hear appeals. There are supposed to be seven judges on the WTO’s appellate body. But the US has blocked all appointments since 2017. It now has no judges and can’t hear any appeals.

But even if the WTO was working perfectly, the only way WTO decisions can be enforced is with the consent of the countries involved.

If Australia won, Trump would have to agree to drop the tariffs because the WTO told him too. Can anyone really see that happening?

Trump says he is going to impose tariffs on a lot of countries. If he does, I expect some of them will take the US to the WTO. All I can say is good luck.