Simon Lester

A couple weeks ago, I asked this question: What steps will the U.S. take now to prove its compliance [in Tuna]? Note that Mexico has already proposed suspension of concessions, and the U.S. has objected to the level of suspension, so the matter has been referred to arbitration.

The latest two WTO consultations requests were both filed by Brazil: Thailand - Subsidies on Sugar 507 Brazil Thailand Apr 04, 2016 Agriculture, SCM Indonesia - Measures Concerning the Importation of Bovine Meat 506 Brazil Indonesia Apr 04, 2016 Agriculture, GATT, Licensing, SPS, TBT They were filed on the same

Last time, it was the U.S. challenging India. This time, it may be India challenging the U.S.: Charging Western nations with adopting double standards in their approach to climate change, Power Minister Piyush Goyal has said India file 16 cases against the US for giving protection to solar

This is from trade lawyers John Veroneau and Shara Aranoff: Congress should expand its use of Section 332 beyond general investigations by enabling the ITC to issue Trade Enforcement Advisory Opinions regarding specific allegations of trade violations. The process would work like this: A qualified U.S. company would file

Clearly, this Swedish ban on certain U.S. lobsters is a legitimate regulation, right? Oversexed, overfed and over here: that, in a nutshell, is what the Swedes think of the American lobster from Maine, New England. It may be much sought after in restaurants but Sweden does not want the

Clearly, this French ban on single use plastic bags is a legitimate regulation, right? As of 1 July this year, the distribution of “single-use plastic bags”, defined as bags thinner than 50 microns (0.05 millimetres), will be banned at shop tills. “And on 1 January 2017 the second stage

This seems like the appropriate day* to unveil a proposal I have for a new WTO agreement on trade and gun rights.  Given what is already covered by WTO rules, I don't see why it should be controversial. Recall that the TRIPS Agreement protects intellectual property rights, but

Last week, I mentioned an ISDS event we will be having at Cato to talk about Lauge Poulsen's new book. We also have one coming up next week entitled “Investment Treaty Reform: The European Perspective,” with Rupert Schlegelmilch, Director of Services and Investment, Intellectual Property and Public Procurement

This chart from UNCTAD shows the top respondent states in investment disputes: And this table from WorldTradeLaw.net shows the top respondent states in WTO disputes: United States 126 EC/EU 82 China 34 India 23 Argentina 22 Canada 18 Brazil 16 Korea 16 Japan 15 Australia/Mexico 14 What,