In recent months some of the highest levels of trade restrictions seen in decades have threatened to boil over into a prolonged trade war. The United States is at the centre of the storm, having imposed tariffs on imports from numerous countries.
At a time when trading partners are most in need of an international referee, the Geneva-based World Trade Organization has been hobbled: the US has blocked appointees to its appellate body, preventing the WTO from ruling on appeals.
Settling disputes is harder than ever.
At the same time, the US is pursuing bilateral deals outside conventional trade agreements.
Kyle G. Brown reports from Geneva on this turning point in world trade.
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