WTO dispute settlement
WTO dispute settlement ensures orderly and predictable global trade through a structured procedure for settling trade disputes between members. Because the Appellate Body was blocked in 2019, more than 30 members – including Switzerland – have been participating in the alternative MPIA mechanism.
The procedure
Dispute settlement is central to providing security and predictability to the multilateral trading system. Under the dispute settlement provisions, WTO members agree not to take unilateral action outside the agreed procedures if they believe WTO rules have been violated.
When a WTO member initiates proceedings against another member, it first calls for consultations. If consultations fail to produce a satisfactory solution within 60 days, the complainant member state may ask the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to establish a panel of experts to adjudicate the case. If the respondent member fails to implement the ruling, the complainant member may seek DSB authorisation to impose retaliatory trade measures (suspension of concessions or other obligations).
Appeal proceedings: blockade of the Appellate Body and MPIA
Given these circumstances, several WTO members, including Switzerland, have adopted a Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). This procedure is based on existing WTO rules (Art. 25 DSU) and applies only between participating members until the WTO Appellate Body becomes functional again.
The MPIA was notified to the WTO on 30 April 2020. The following WTO members are participating in the alternative agreement (as of October 2025): Australia, Benin, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the EU, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and Vietnam. Interested members can join at any time.
Further information
Index
Related topics
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Through clear rules, dispute settlement and support for developing countries, the WTO works to make world trade more open, transparent and fair.
Multilateral economic relations
Switzerland actively promotes an open, fair, and rules-based trading system, strengthening transparent trade rules and international cooperation through the WTO, the OECD, and new partnerships.
Contact
Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate
World Trade / WTO Division
Holzikofenweg 36
3003 Bern