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" Can you give me one example of authority the WTO has over what decisions America chooses to make?"

From the Seattle Post Intelligence June 18, 2002:

The World Trade Organization has ruled that the United States must change its tax laws or face up to $4 billion in penalties. The ruling came after the European Union charged unfair trade practices against the U.S. for not requiring major corporations to pay tax on income earned abroad. Originally filed in 1997, the dispute has now been decided three times, all in favor of the EU. All that remains is for a WTO arbitrator to decide the final amount of penalty, which is expected by March. eco-logic reported in 1994 that the proposed WTO would have the power to require the U.S. to conform its laws to the dictates of the WTO, or face financial penalties. This fact was denied by politicians and the media. Lew Rockwell's wonderful article, " WTO Foments A Trade War," includes several quotes from those naysayers.

The World Trade Organization has ruled that the United States must change its tax laws or face up to $4 billion in penalties.

Sigh...

Can you explain to me what would happen if the US (GWB, basically) just said, "Oh well." and just ignored the WTO's ruling? The UE would raise $4B in tariffs against the U.S. Can you tell me how this would be any different than if the WTO did not exist?