World Trade Organization powerless against protectionist wave

Geneva, Switzerland—Often referred to as the "global trade police," the World Trade Organization (WTO) is actually bound hand and foot by its members, with Washington's actions especially leaving it all but powerless against the protectionist wave washing over the globe. A number of countries have begun filing complaints with the WTO charging that the steep tariffs wielded by US President Donald Trump violate international trade rules. – Advertisement – But the WTO finds its room for maneuver constricted, not least by Washington's move under the first Trump administration to hamstring its dispute settlement mechanism by blocking the appointment of appeal…