International economic law and policy blog

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Tracking Goods Exports under the Trump Administration's Trade Policies: The Latest Data

Back in May, I posted about how U.S. goods exports were doing under Trump's trade policies. In this post, I'm going to provide an update based on 3 additional months of data, with export data for January - June now covered for the years 2023 - 2026.

Evaluating the New White House “Great Transshipment Scam” Proposals

The critical issue in any U.S. attempts to enforce against transshipment are the definitions and scope.

U.S. Appeals Court Says No Constitutional Right To Export Guns

Many years ago, I did an April Fools' post about a trade agreement on gun rights. At long last, I have an actual substantive trade and gun rights issue to post about.

How Difficult Will It Be Politically To Remove Trump's Tariffs?

Heather Hurlburt, who was the Chief of Staff for U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai from 2022-2024, recently poured some cold water on the idea that Trump's tariffs might be removed quickly after he is out of office.

Pressuring China on Subsidies vs. Pressuring China on Consumption

If I understand their views correctly, some of the more hawkish voices on China's economic practices see a link between the Chinese government's high level of industrial subsidies, on the one hand, and the low level of consumption by Chinese citizens, on the other.

Would Public Ownership Push Us Towards AI Sovereignty? And Will We Ever Get Sensible AI Regulation?

Todd Tucker, my long-time sparring partner on international economic policy issues, has a new piece with his colleague Elizabeth Wilkins called "How Public Equity Can Promote a Revived American Democracy."

Guest Post: Make the Forced Labor 301 Tariffs a Win for Workers

“I had to store my friend’s dead body in the freezer.” A fisher shared this with me and my colleagues at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) through an interpreter.

Questions for Japan About Its Trade/Investment Deals with the Trump Administration

One of the many useful things that happens at the WTO is the Trade Policy Reviews carried out for each WTO Member, and Japan's latest review includes some questions/answers on the framework trade agreement with the Trump administration.

Where To Focus With the Issue of Trade Imbalances: Exchange Rates vs. Domestic Economic Policies

The Economist has a piece by a group of economists on trade imbalances, explaining that there is too much focus on the undervalued yuan. In my view, lots of people are getting things on wrong on trade imbalances, and it's nice to see these folks getting things right.

Can Brazil's WTO Complaint on the Section 301 Tariffs Avoid Being Undermined by an "Appeal into the Void"?

Amidst the flurry of recent tariff news was a USTR notice of action earlier this month in the Section 301 investigation of Brazil’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Digital Trade and Electronic Payment Services; Unfair, Preferential Tariffs; Anti-Corruption Enforcement; Intellectual Property Protection; Ethanol Market Access; and Illegal