Vietnam joins WTO appeal mechanism to strengthen global trade stability and trust

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam has announced its official participation in the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), an initiative created by members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to maintain the dispute settlement system while the WTO Appellate Body remains suspended.

With this decision, Vietnam becomes the 57th participant in the mechanism, joining major economies such as the European Union, China, Japan, Canada and Australia, as well as ASEAN partners including Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The move shows Vietnam’s strong commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system and helps strengthen global trade trust and stability, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The MPIA is seen as a “temporary appellate court” that ensures WTO members can maintain a fair, impartial and transparent two-tier dispute settlement system.

For Vietnam, joining the MPIA provides an effective legal shield to protect its legitimate rights and interests, especially those of exporters. It also enhances the country’s influence in WTO reform discussions.

In the long term, the MPIA reflects Vietnam’s growing role as a proactive and responsible member in shaping global trade rules and advancing deep international economic integration.

Since joining the WTO in 2007, Vietnam has actively taken part in and signed multiple bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements with strategic partners. These include the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

These efforts have created broader and higher-quality market opportunities, helping expand Vietnam’s global trade and economic cooperation.