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Simon Lester

Simon Lester

Co-founder of WorldTradeLaw.net and China Trade Monitor. Non-resident fellow at the Baker Institute.

http://simonlester.com

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:

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

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

Tobacco Labelling Restrictions under Domestic Law

For those following the various aspects of the legality of domestic tobacco labelling restrictions under international economic law, this U.S. court decision (reported by the AP) may be of interest: A judge on Monday blocked a federal requirement that would have begun forcing tobacco companies next year to put

The Intent of a Measure and the "Likeness" / "Less Favorable Treatment" Elements

There are many people who think that intent (or aim or motive or purpose or policy justification, or whatever you want to call it) should not be part of the National Treatment obligation. For these people, such issues are better left to exception provisions, such as GATT Article XX. But

More on Australian Plain Packaging and TRIPS

From a recent TRIPS Council meeting: Australia’s plain packaging bill for tobacco products The bill, first discussed in the last meeting, has passed the lower house and is now in the Senate, Australia reported. It is part Australia’s anti-smoking campaign. (See also this Australian government web page,

Server Farm Subsidies

From the AP: Facebook will build a new server farm on the edge of the Arctic Circle — its first outside the U.S. — that will improve performance for European users of the social networking site, officials said Thursday. ... Facebook didn't give the price of its investment, but Lulea

TPP's Regulatory Coherence Chapter

I feel like much of the talk about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) relates to IP and health issues. More interesting to me is the proposed (and recently leaked) "regulatory coherence" chapter. Here's an excerpt: 1. Through its national coordinating body, process or mechanism, each Party,