Geneva, June 25, 2025 – The United Kingdom has joined the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), an alternative dispute resolution mechanism within the World Trade Organization (WTO).
This decision reflects the UK's commitment to a rules-based international trading system. The WTO's Appellate Body has been non-operational since December 2019 due to the United States blocking appointments.
The MPIA, established in March 2020, provides a temporary arbitration arrangement for resolving disputes. As of June 2025, the MPIA has 56 members, including the European Union, Canada, and Brazil.
The UK's participation aligns with its trade strategy to protect British businesses amid economic challenges. This move follows an agreement between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump to lower tariffs.
The MPIA remains crucial for resolving trade disputes while the Appellate Body is non-functional. Ongoing efforts are needed to reform the WTO's dispute settlement system.