Reference News Network, October 30 report - According to the website of the UK's Financial Times, as reported on October 29, emails seen by Financial Times journalists show that despite the Trump administration's frequent attacks on the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United States has paid back more than $25 million in overdue membership fees to this global trade organization.

The report said that eight months ago, the U.S. government had announced that it would suspend the payment of annual membership fees until it reviewed its payments to multiple multilateral organizations including the WTO and the OECD.

Based on its share in global trade, the U.S. should have contributed 11% of the WTO's annual budget of 205 million Swiss francs (approximately 257 million U.S. dollars) for 2024. It was reported that in December last year, in the WTO annual report, this figure amounted to 2.32 million Swiss francs — equivalent to 2.57 million U.S. dollars.

In March this year, after the U.S. failed to pay the 2024 membership fee, the WTO took so-called "administrative measures," a series of escalating punitive measures against member states that owed membership fees.

In an email seen by Financial Times journalists, the news of paying the membership fee was subtly conveyed to WTO employees. The email informed them that the U.S. was no longer subject to the "administrative measures."

A spokesperson from the Trump administration confirmed the payment of arrears, but refused to make further comments and also declined to specify the transfer amount. The official said, "The 2024 contribution to the WTO has been paid." The WTO Secretariat refused to comment.

Trade experts said that although the decision to clear the arrears is welcomed, it represents a decision that is advantageous to the U.S., rather than a complete change in attitude.

Simon Evenett, professor of geopolitics and strategy at the International Institute for Management Development Business School in Switzerland, said: "The U.S. transferring money to the WTO is not a gesture of loyalty — it's a 'feeding tube.' The goal is not revival, but control." (Translated by Hu Jing)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7566952591620358706/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the [top/down] buttons below.