The paper aims at highlighting certain dynamics and trends of which the strengthening of the relationships between the WTO and non-State actors may constitute an indicator. The question is addressed as to whether the multiplication of such relations constitutes an instrument for the WTO to take up the role of bearer and guarantor of interests which exceed those that the founding Treaty confers upon it. In the affirmative case, it could be argued that dynamics are in place that justify allegations of the ``legitimacy deficit" of the WTO. It would remain to be ascertained whether, and to what extent, the fact that the relations examined in this paper grow in number and salience meet, at least partially and indirectly, the demand for increased legitimacy and representativity of the organization. In the negative case, it would be possible to conclude that the ``spider-WTO" becomes captive to the very web of relations that it threads.