World Trade Organization Attorneys

Overview

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the world's preeminent international organization focusing on the rules of trade in goods and services among nations. With a membership of 164 countries, the WTO settles trade disputes under the WTO agreements and provides a forum for multilateral trade negotiations and the elimination of trade barriers. Wiley's attorneys advocate with U.S. government agencies such as the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on behalf of client interests in a variety of WTO-related matters.

WTO Litigation

Wiley has extensive experience representing client interests in trade disputes before the WTO. We work actively with USTR on behalf of U.S. industries to address violations of WTO law and other trade agreements and to eliminate barriers to trade through the WTO's dispute settlement system.

For example, Wiley attorneys helped the United States bring a series of three key WTO cases challenging China’s restrictions on its exports of raw materials and rare earth minerals. In all three cases, the United States successfully challenged China's attempt to unfairly benefit its domestic industries by restricting exports of a variety of raw materials that are crucial manufacturing inputs. Wiley helped to secure Chinese compliance after favorable rulings by WTO panels and the WTO Appellate Body in all three cases, resulting in significant victories for the United States and domestic industries.

Wiley also has significant experience defending U.S. trade law from challenges at the WTO. We have supported the United States in dozens of other WTO panel and Appellate Body cases.

Trade Analysis and Barrier Resolution

Wiley's WTO capabilities also include the analysis of countries' trade commitments, particularly in complex trade areas such as telecommunications and services, and the elimination of trade barriers through WTO channels other than the dispute settlement system. Our attorneys assist clients in identifying foreign trade barriers and raising issues bilaterally through WTO committees, including the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.

Negotiations

Wiley's International Trade Practice actively advises clients on trade negotiations at the WTO. We represent U.S. companies and industries in these negotiations, particularly in areas such as rules, trade in services, electronic commerce, and market access. We present client views and proposals on these negotiations to trade policy makers, such as USTR and the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and State.