A new method of doing business at the WTO is being celebrated - one that prioritizes listening to each other's interests and goals and coming up with creative ways to achieve them jointly, leading to significant progress in reform.
Guatemalan diplomat Marco Molina used 'interest-based negotiation' during the talks, an approach uncommon to the WTO, successfully proving its efficacy despite partial threats.
The new model serves as a blueprint for U.S. leadership in a multipolar world - the U.S. supported Molina's facilitator role despite some reservations.
Molina's process has restored faith in the WTO, and has been a driver of trust among members.
Molina's abrupt removal by the new Guatemalan government implies a setback in the reform process, demonstrating how fragile consensus-building can be.
Conclusion: Despite the threats and setbacks, international diplomats worked together on a different approach and saw that it worked. This success highlights the efficacy of interest-based negotiation, and the possibility of similar methods being adopted in the future.