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May 18, 1998

Conflict of Interest Raises Questions About WTO Panelists

May 18, 1998

Conflict of Interest Raises Questions
About WTO Panelists

Arthur Dunkel Serves as Chairman of Body Critical of
the Law he was to Consider as WTO Panelist

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A flagrant conflict of interest involving a World Trade Organization dispute resolution panelist raises serious questions as to the efficacy of the WTO?s conflict of interest rules. Arthur Dunkel was selected by WTO Director-General Renato Ruggiero to serve on the dispute panel to consider the complaint by the European Communities involving the U.S. “Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act.”

Arthur Dunkel also serves as the chair of the International Chamber of Commerce?s “Commission on International Trade and Investment Policy,” a body which has taken a strong position in opposition to the U.S. law.

“The WTO conflict of interest rules do not work,” said Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizen?s Global Trade Watch. “How did it happen that the leader of an organization publicly opposed to a nation?s law can then judge that same law as a WTO panelist? It would appear that beauty pageants have more effective conflict of interest rules than the WTO,” Wallach said.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), an organization founded to promote international trade and investment, is a harsh public critic of the U.S. “Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act.” According to its June 19, 1996, position paper, “The ICC believes that the Helms-Burton Act, which threatens to distort international trade and investment and to cause considerable commercial disruption to companies from countries which are trading partners of the U.S., is in clear contradiction of the fundamental principles of the World Trade Organization and may contain elements which are incompatible with U.S. obligations under the WTO.”

According to Vincent J. O?Brien, Deputy Director of Communications for the ICC, it is the Commission that Mr. Dunkel chairs that defines and determines the ICC?s positions on trade issues. Dunkel also serves on the board of Directors of Nestl? S.A., the world?s largest food company.

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Tell Congress: Pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act

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Protecting Elected Officials from Threats

Get Corporate Money Out of Politics

It’s Time to Cut the Bloated Pentagon Budget to Fund People, Not Military Contractors

Ensuring Public Money Does Not Go To Private Equity

Don’t Let Big Tech Write Our Digital Privacy Laws

Public Citizen Calls on Presidential Candidates, Parties to Pledge Not to Use Dangerous, Manipulative Deepfakes

Within Reach: Banker Pay Reform

Tell President Biden: Make Meds Affordable

Win Medicare for All

Report: Ranking of the Rate of State Medical Boards’ Serious Disciplinary Actions, 2019-2021

Petition to the FDA to Strengthen Safety Warning for Botox and Related Drugs and Remove Misleading Claims From Botox/Botox Cosmetic Labeling

President Biden: No Secrecy in Indo-Pacific Trade Talks

Climate Peace Clause Needed to Stop Trade Attacks on Climate Policies

Big Tech’s “Digital Trade” Power-Grab

Tell Toyota: Go all-in on EVs

Climate Roadmap for U.S. Financial Regulation

Toyota’s Troubling Electric Vehicle Track Record

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Conflict of Interest Raises Questions About WTO Panelists

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