I've heard a number of people suggest that the Doha failure would lead to an increase in WTO complaints relating to agricultural subsidies. The theory is that Members were hoping to address their concerns through negotiations, but now dispute settlement is the only option. It seems that we now have the first evidence to support the theory, just weeks after the latest negotiating setback, as Brazil plans to request an Article 21.5 panel to determine if the U.S. has complied with certain aspects of the ruling in the Cotton case. Reuters reports:
"Brazil will solicit a new panel at the WTO for the implementation of measures," Mario Mugnaini, executive director of the Brazilian government's foreign trade body, told journalists. "If the U.S. does not make its case, we'll ask for retaliation."
It also notes:
The case gained a higher profile after last month's collapse of the Doha round of global trade talks. Analysts say that without the Doha agreement, legal wrangling between countries will likely rise at the WTO.
