World Trade Organization members provisionally agreed Thursday on a 2020 budget, likely averting a shutdown risk triggered by U.S. threats to block funding over frustration with the body's dispute settlement court.

WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell said the budget of 197 million Swiss francs (199.5 million U.S. dollars) requires formal approval at a meeting next week of the General Council, the WTO's highest decision-making body.

The General Council has typically approved budgets that have been provisionally agreed by members. 

The United States has historically been the WTO's largest financial contributor, accounting for 11.6 percent of the budget in 2018.

While U.S. frustrations with the WTO pre-date Donald Trump's presidency, his administration has dramatically escalated attacks on the body charged with safeguarding a rules-based international trade system.

Washington has in particular accused judges in the appellate chamber of the Dispute Settlement Body of dysfunction and exceeding their mandate through broad rulings that violate national sovereignty.

The appellate body, which offers a last resort to settle international trade disputes and avoid escalation between countries, normally counts seven judges.

But on December 10, two of the only three judges remaining will conclude their mandate, and the appellate branch will no longer have the quorum required to hear cases.

The Trump administration has blocked the nomination of any new appellate judges and recently criticized the compensation paid to them.

(With input from AFP)