International Economic Law and Policy Blog

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Simon Lester

Romney and Huntsman Debate the Nuances of WTO Law

Well, sort of. It's more detail on WTO law than one usually gets from politicians, at least. Here's something from a recent debate: Scott Pelley: That's time, Governor. But I would like to ask you a follow-up on that point. You-- you talked about

Van Harten on Investor-State Reform

In a paper posted on SSRN, law prof Gus Van Harten proposes some investor-state reforms: In border and trade talks with the US and the European Union, Canada should seek to improve the institutional framework of investor-state arbitration. As it happens, one of the best models appears to be a

New Appellate Body Members

The WTO press release is here: The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) appointed on 18 November 2011 the following two new members to the seven-member Appellate Body: Messrs Ujal Singh Bhatia of India and Thomas R. Graham of the United States for four years commencing on 11 December 2011. Messrs

Investor State in the KORUS FTA

My knowledge of Korean politics is pretty limited, so I wasn't sure what to make of this: President Lee Myung-bak told members of the ruling and opposition party leadership Tuesday that if the National Assembly asked him for renegotiations on the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement’s

More Talk about Tobacco at the TBT Committee

From a recent TBT Committee meeting: Tobacco: Australia’s plain packaging This issue attracted the most attention in this meeting even though it had already been discussed at length in the June meeting. Because it affects trademarks it has also been discussed in the Council for Trade Related Aspects of

A TPP Poll

I have had long doubts as to whether the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will ever be completed. Too many countries, too many issues. With Japan now talking about joining, I'm even more skeptical. But hey, what do I know? Let me ask others what they think with

Research Conference on Post - Crisis International Financial Regulation: Fragmentation, Harmonization and Coordination

From the International Economic Law Interest Group (IEcLIG) of American Society of International Law (ASIL) and Suffolk University School of Law: Post - Crisis International Financial Regulation: Fragmentation, Harmonization and Coordination December 2, 2011 Suffolk University School of Law 8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast 9:00-9:15 General Introduction: Elizabeth

Russia is (Just About) in the WTO

From the WTO announcement: Russia’s accession to the WTO cleared a major hurdle when the WTO Working Party on its accession approved, ad referendum on 10 November 2011, the package spelling out Russia’s terms of entry to the organization. The Working Party will now send its accession recommendation

Trade in Tonight's GOP Debate

From CNBC: HARWOOD: ... under a Republican governor, the state of California hired a company in China to build major portions in the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, creating thousands of jobs in China. And California did that because it was cheaper. Is that smart, purchasing by government in a global

Christmas Trees: Real vs. Artificial, Domestic vs. Imports

From a recent USDA Federal Register notice, here's a new regulation that attempts to promote the fresh cut Christmas tree industry: This rule establishes an industry- funded promotion, research, and information program for fresh cut Christmas trees. The Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order), was submitted