I first thought it was an email phishing scam, but it is a real story that a journalist was asking my opinion on. I found it intriguing enough to share it on the blog ...
A few day ago, Wikileaks released what has been referred to as a "Secret Treaty to Mine the Moon Draft" here. They got it from the so-called "Saudi Cables".
The document makes reference to applying GATT "with respect to the exploitation of the natural resources of the moon" and speaks, in particular, of limits on subsidization and non-discrimination be it by means of tariffs or non-tariff barriers.
Moon mining would take place under an "international regime on behalf of mankind as a whole" and any operator, public or private, would need approval under the regime.
Still, when bringing back the minerals to planet earth (if and when this becomes feasible), the fear may be that countries impose trade barriers on them (something one better finds out before leaving for the moon).
Applying WTO rules and commitments to such minerals, even if they do not originate from the sovereign territory of any WTO member (no country can appropriate the moon, see the poorly ratified 1979 Moon Treaty), may then make sense.
Any views on this? Should WTO rules apply on the moon?
