The WTO is the central pillar of the system established after World War II to prevent a reversion to 1930s-style protectionism and trade wars. It is intended to keep a lid on member countries’ import barriers, and allows its 159 member states to take their trade disputes to WTO tribunals rather than imposing tit-for-tat sanctions.

Now it must address two critical problems which have arisen in recent decades.  One is currency manipulation  Should countries — China being an obvious example — be allowed to hold down their currencies’ exchange rates to gain competitive advantages? Another is climate change: Should countries that strictly curb their carbon emissions be allowed to impose countervailing tariffs on imports from countries that lack similar controls?  WTO Struggles