International economic law and policy blog

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The Canada-U.S. Trade War: No End in Sight

I'm not totally sure what triggered the recent escalation in trade conflict between Canada and the U.S. As of June, things seemed to be muddling along well enough, with the focus on whether the USMCA would be renewed for another term and what that might look like for Canada-U.S. trade.

Call for Papers: ANZSIL International Economic Law Interest Group Workshop

From the ANZSIL International Economic Law Interest Group (IELIG): The ANZSIL International Economic Law Interest Group (IELIG) was established in 2011 to provide a forum for those interested in international economic law, especially international regulation of trade, investment, intellectual property, and monetary law. The work of the Interest Group covers

Politicizing AD/CVD in Both Directions

We don't get much reporting on the behind the scenes details of AD/CVD calculations, but Politico had an article recently about how U.S. Commerce Department officials were trying to keep these duties down (yes, down – that's not a typo!)

Colombia Makes the Case for Rethinking Patent Exclusivity (and for Considering Prizes)

In mid-July, Colombia submitted a communication for discussion in the TRIPS Council entitled "A Better Trip: Autonomous Examination TRIPS Prerogatives, and Existing Examples."

The Republican Embrace of Security-Based State Capitalism / Socialism

In the context of a House Committee on Rules discussion on Monday of Republican-sponsored H. Res. 1490 – Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its form, and for other purposes, there was the following exchange between Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI).

Guest Post: Does Economic Coercion Work? Evidence from China’s Import Restrictions on Japanese Seafood

In August 2023, China suspended imports of all Japanese aquatic products following the release of ALPS-treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The measure was widely discussed in Japan as an example of economic coercion.

Is Brazil's Pix Payment System an Unfair Trade Practice?

One of the issues in the Section 301 investigation of Brazil's trade practices relates to Pix, an instant payment platform created and managed by the Central Bank of Brazil.

Does the Trump Administration Feel Constrained by U.S. Trade Agreements?

In two separate instances yesterday, I came across questions about whether the Trump administration feels constrained by the USMCA and other trade agreements.

The Trump Administration Is Going After German Pharmaceutical Pricing. Will France Be Next?

Americans pay far more for brand-name drugs than Europeans do. For years that was treated as a domestic health problem. The Trump administration has started treating it as a trade problem.

Once Again, USMCA is No Match for U.S. Protectionism

Failure to Reach a Deal Despite intensive negotiations from August 19-21, 2026, Canada and the United States failed to reach an agreement that would have suspended the 50% tariffs the U.S. threatened a month ago on $20 billion worth of Canadian exports to the U.S. (The list