What is the current status of WTO's dispute settlement system according to experts

1. Experts argue that the current status of WTO's dispute settlement system is problematic and faces significant challenges. 2. The Appellate Body, a key component of the system, has been rendered non-operational due to a lack of sufficient judges. 3. This has created a backlog of unresolved disputes, leading to delays in the settlement process. 4. Without a functioning Appellate Body, the dispute settlement system loses its ability to provide binding decisions and enforce trade rules effectively. 5. The system's limited resources and restrictive timeframes further hinder its functionality, making it difficult for disputes to be addressed promptly. 6. The United States' blocking of new appointments to the Appellate Body has exacerbated the issues faced by the system. 7. Experts believe that WTO members need to engage in meaningful discussions to find a way forward and address the challenges to make the dispute settlement system fully functional again.