International Economic Law and Policy Blog

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Simon Lester

The Two U.S. Complaints Against China

The two recent U.S. WTO complaints against China are here: China - Electronic Payment Services (DS413)China - AD/CVDs on Electrical Steel (DS414)President Obama had this to say on the issue of trade complaints against China in reponse to a question yesterday at a town hall: MR.

U.S. Labeling of Genetically Modified Salmon

First liquor labeling, now salmon labeling (and next up, cigarette labeling). This is from Jonathan Adler at the Volokh Conspiracy: The Food and Drug Administration is considering whether to approve genetically modified salmon for human consumption. Aquabounty Technologies has submitted its “AquAdvantage” salmon, an Atlantic salmon genetically engineered to mature

Environmental Taxes on Long Haul Airline Travel

In the comments, graduate student Kimani Goddard asks: I am interested in the issue of green taxes on long haul travel being instituted by the British Gov't. It will disproportionately affect the Caribbean islands. I would like to ask what do your readers think of what amounts to

DS412: Local Content Requirements for Renewable Energy

Here's the latest WTO complaint, Canada - Certain Measures Affecting the Renewable Energy Generation Sector (DS412). It is yet another trade and clean energy dispute, which seem to be proliferating these days. From the consultations request: The measures that are the subject of this request are those taken

Thai Liquor Labeling and Trade Rules

From the W$J: Alcohol companies world-wide are lining up to fight a Thai plan to require graphic warning labels about alcohol on the country's domestic and imported beer, wine and liquor bottles. The proposed labels—which would cover 30% of the bottles' surface area—include unusually

GATT Article XX and Non-Violation

Wrapping up the series of posts on GATT Article XX, let me ask this: Can GATT Article XX be a defense to an Article XXIII:1(b) non-violation claim? The "exception" language in Article XX is pretty broad: "nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent

GATT Article XX(b) - Export Restrictions vs. Production Restrictions

More on GATT Article XX from the complainants' oral statement in the China - Exportation of Raw Materials case: 96. China’s export duties and export quotas on these products are not necessary to protect human, animal, or plant life or health. According to China, the production of coke,

U.S. Files Case Against Chinese AD/CVD Measures

From USTR: China’s Imposition of Antidumping Duties and Countervailing Duties on U.S. Steel Imports Grain-oriented flat-rolled electrical steel (GOES) is used by the power-generating industry in transformers, reactors, and other large electric machines. The two largest U.S. manufacturers of GOES are AK Steel Corporation, based in Ohio,

The Aircraft Dispute: The Boeing Decision

The leaking begins. From Reuters: An interim report released to the parties on Wednesday backed European complaints over some $17 billion of research contracts from NASA and the Pentagon and approximately $4 billion of tax breaks from Washington state, the source said. The WTO found the aid "actionable"

Chinese Currency Issues and Export Contingency

The House Ways and Means Committee is holding a hearing today and tomorrow on China's exchange rate policy. There are a bunch of witness statements available, and you can watch it all live. Here's a short excerpt from John Magnus' testimony, focusing on the export