But some environmentalist groups contend that the WTO has too much power and is hurting living standards in many countries. Many of the decisions that Public Citizen cites concern one country bringing an action at the WTO against a trading partner's environmental, health or safety rules. These challenges often involve a country claiming the real function of such consumer laws is to block the import of goods from other countries. If a WTO tribunal concludes that these laws are administered to discriminate against foreign suppliers, or that they lack scientific basis, they can be declared to violate the laws of world trade. U.S. officials argue that each country in the WTO retains its sovereignty.
Countries can legally ignore unfavorable decisions, and some do so.
However, they may to sanctions or forced to pay compensation to trading partners. But critics see the WTO as replacing the lawmaking authority of individual nations. Smaller countries have no choice but to go along with WTO rulings or merely the threat of WTO action, Public Citizen contends, while large countries tend to follow the WTO's wishes. While its rulings are published, the internal deliberations and presentations of the opposing parties are kept secret. The United States promises that at the Seattle talks it will push for more openness in WTO deliberations.