Bananas, Beef, and Biotechnology: Three Contentious U.S.-EU Trade Disputes

Abstract

Trade disputes between the European Union and the United States over bananas, beef, and biotechnology stem from rent-seeking by special interests, consumers' fears about food safety, and mistrust of government regulation and enforcement. The unwillingness of the European Union to abide by the decisions of the dispute settlement panels threatens the integrity of the World Trade Organization, whose fundamental weakness is its inability to resolve conflicts when the contracting parties disagree with the findings of the dispute settlement body due to overriding domestic political concerns.