International Economic Law and Policy Blog

Sign in Subscribe

Simon Lester

"Outsourcing" and "Globalization" in Today's U.S - Tyre's Report

This is from the the Panel's "preliminary observations" in today's U.S. - Tyres WTO panel report: 7.6 ... the investigation that led to the imposition of a safeguard measure in this case against the importation of tyres from China was initiated, unusually, as

Investor-State in Australian Trade Agreements

Some in Australia are still skeptical of investor-state dispute settlement. This is from Chapter 14 of today's Productivity Commission report on bilateral and regional trade agreements: It is the Commission’s assessment that although some of the risks and problems associated with ISDS can be ameliorated through the

Less Favorable Treatment in the Clove Cigarettes Case

There are some good non-discrimination cases going on right now in WTO dispute settlement (including the Philippines - Spirits case mentioned here). For DSC subscribers, here is a run-down we did of the U.S. position on GATT Article III:4 less favorable treatment issues in the U.S. -

Investor-State in the CETA

Including investor-state in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU would, in my view, be a big deal in a number of ways (including the number of investments covered): A controversial NAFTA provision that allows corporations to seek compensation from governments is likely to be included

The KORUS FTA U.S. Auto Quota and GATT Article XXIV

This is from the White House fact sheet on the KORUS FTA: Automotive Safety Standards: Safety standards have effectively operated as a non-tariff barrier to U.S. auto exports. The 2010 supplemental agreement announced today allows for 25,000 cars per U.S. automaker – or almost four times the number

Investor-State, the TPP, and the Philip Morris BIT Claim

Is the BIT investment claim by Philip Morris against Uruguay going to make it difficult to get investor-state in the TPP? From an NZ online publication: The Greens have stepped up their attack on a planned trans-Pacific free trade zone after tobacco giant Philip Morris called for the right to

Could an FTA Hurt Imports?

I'm not sure I understand this article from the Philadelphia Inquirer: The 150,000 shiny new Hyundai and Kia cars expected to arrive annually through the Port of Philadelphia will not be hurt by a proposed free-trade agreement between the Obama administration and South Korea, officials said. Since

Expanding Investor-State?

Investor-state dispute settlement has been heavily criticized by many people who are opposed to international trade and investment rules generally. Would making this kind of dispute settlement available to entities other than "investors" make it more palatable to the critics? This is from an article in Slate: One

House Ways and Meaning Hearing on Investment Protection

Congressional committee hearings are often interesting, but they are difficult to blog about. The Q & A is the best part, but an official transcript -- which is much more blog-friendly than typing things up as they go along -- doesn't come out for a while. So, that&

The End of Anti-Dumping in Brazil

Just temporarily, I assume: Brazil froze all investigations of dumping practices by other countries after a presidential decree in October prohibited the tax agency from sharing information, Trade Minister Miguel Jorge said. About 70 probes cannot be completed without data such as the amount of goods imported and the price