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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 Better Way to Argue for Free Trade?

In a new Cato Institute paper, Dan Ikenson and Scott Lincicome question the approach taken by many people who argue for free trade, and propose an alternative. They start things off with a critique of the existing pro-trade arguments: ... in an atmosphere where demagogues peddle myths to mislead the

National Treatment in the Renco Investor-State Complaint

And here's the final non-discrimination post of the day. U.S. company Renco Group, on its own behalf and on behalf of its affiliate Doe Run Peru (DRP), has brought an investor-state claim against Peru under the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. The Notice of

Non-Discrimination under GATT Article III:2, first sentence

Here's the third non-discrimination post of the day. Looking over the U.S. responses to the Panel's questions in Philippines - Spirits (DS396/403), it was striking how little discussion of intent/effect issues there was, in comparison with Clove Cigarettes and Tuna, the subject of

National Treatment: Imports from Complainant versus All Imports

For today's non-discrimination post number 2, here's something from the U.S. - Tuna II (DS381) panel's questions to the U.S.: 149. To the United States: You have referred to the treatment afforded to “imported products” under the measures in the context of

The Role of Effect in Non-Discrimination: The Clove Cigarettes Case

There's so much to say about the non-discrimination issue right now that I'm not quite sure where to begin. I've got four posts here today, and for DSC subscribers I also did one on the DSC blog for the Tuna case. To start

Obama's State of the Union Speech: Free Trade and Competition

Here's the speech. I saw a tension between two parts of it. First, Obama makes the point that it's a competitive world out there: Many people watching tonight can probably remember a time when finding a good job meant showing up at a nearby factory or

U.S. NAFTA Secretariat Job

There's an opening for the head of the U.S. NAFTA Secretariat: Are you interested in assisting U.S. businesses compete globally? The International Trade Administration is the largest federal agency helping U.S. firms to succeed in the world economy. You can help us create opportunities for

Are We Living Under a "Pro-Corporate Global Governance System"?

Todd Tucker refers to the current trade regime as a "pro-corporate global governance system." Is that a fair characterization? Aren't just as many corporations opposed to the system as are for it? There are winners and losers from every policy -- some corporations are hurt and

Intra-National Free Trade: Super Bowl Edition

This story has a similar feel to the concerns about producing the U.S. flag abroad: A Wisconsin towel maker is smack-dab in the middle of the Green Bay Packer-Pittsburgh Steeler Super Bowl matchup. McArthur Towel and Sports, a WinCraft company, has been producing officially licensed sports towels

Legal Protectionism: Tariffs vs. Other Measures

Todd Tucker of Global Trade Watch recently complained that the WTO Government Procurement Agreement restricts the ability of the U.S. government to favor domestic solar panel producers through its Buy America procurement policies: ... dig a bit deeper into the NYT story to understand what the phrase "subject to