Final answer:
The WTO stated that Antigua and Barbuda could suspend U.S. intellectual property rights protections, potentially allowing them to recoup $21 million annually as a form of sanctioned retaliation over a trade dispute related to online gambling.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2013, the World Trade Organization (WTO) stated that Antigua and Barbuda had the option to suspend intellectual property rights protections and effectively "steal" $21 million worth of U.S. intellectual property annually. This was a result of the WTO ruling in favor of Antigua and Barbuda in a long-standing dispute over online gambling.
The WTO's decision allowed the nation to retaliate against the United States for not complying with a WTO ruling on online gambling, which states that Antigua and Barbuda could bypass U.S. intellectual property rights until the U.S. adjusted its ban on Antigua-based online gaming operations. This was not about Antigua's ability or plans to invest, save, earn or lose money, but rather its potential to recoup losses from the trade dispute with the U.S. through permissible retaliatory measures.