International Economic Law and Policy Blog

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Simon Lester

What Legalized Online Gambling Might Look Like in the U.S.

There has been some talk of legalized online gambling in recent months. I'm a little skeptical we'll see this happen any time soon, but if it does, this approach seems problematic from a trade perspective: With every sign pointing to the eventual regulation of Internet gaming

A Trade in Services Dormant Commerce Clause Case

Someone is challenging Wisconsin's diploma privilege as a violation of the dormant commerce clause: Wisconsin’s diploma privilege for graduates of the law schools at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin may be in danger, at least if the Seventh Circuit reviews the merits of the privilege.

Counter-measures defence raised in NAFTA Chapter 11 claims against Mexico

A guest post from Luke Eric Peterson of the Investment Arbitration Reporter : In recent weeks, Mexico has slapped retaliatory tariffs on certain US goods – and sought to justify this by pointing to the US failure to provide greater access for Mexican trucks (more specificially, Mexico cites a failure of the

The Stimulus and Buy America: Not Everyone is Worried

Spain sees it as an opportunity: AMERICAN companies are not the only ones hoping for a boost from Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan. Spanish firms are also positioning themselves to benefit from what they call el Plan Obama. Other foreign companies are jostling for some of the $317 billion

Trade in Everything: Easter Edition

From the Austrian Times: Egg imports are set to jump this Easter in Austria on the back of falling supply and growing demand, producers have said. Imports of eggs from Germany and the Netherlands are expected to rise by 25 per cent as Austrians will reportedly buy 50 million Easter

Harry Reid on "Protectionism"

Many of this blog's readers are probably aware that I'm a bit obsessed with the word "protectionism." Here's another post where I parse the meaning. This time it's based on some things Harry Reid said in relation to the G-

And the Nominees Are ...

There are two Appellate Body positions coming open in the next year. Reuters reports on the nominees: Hector Torres (Argentina) - former representative at the International Monetary Fund. Ellen Gracie Northfleet (Brazil) - supreme court judge. Ronald Saborio Soto (Costa Rica) - long-serving WTO ambassador. Peter Van den Bossche (EU - Belgium) - professor

The Trucking Dispute: Not Just About Trade Anymore

The Trucking Dispute is now a NAFTA Chapter 11 investment dispute as well: After nearly two years of resisting the opening of the U.S.-Mexico border to long-haul trucking operations, the Mexican motor carrier association now is taking the U.S. to “NAFTA court.” Canacar filed a Notice

Perry Bechky on the G20 and Soft Law

A guest post from blog reader Perry Bechky: Where does the trade language in the two G20 summit declarations fall on the famous soft-to-hard spectrum in international law? The November declaration says, “[W]ithin the next twelve months, we will refrain from raising new barriers to investment or

Cap and Trade: Coming Soon in the U.S.?

Via Ben Muse, I see this Reuters summary of the trade aspects of the U.S. House draft carbon legislation: INDUSTRY REBATES/TRADE Authorizes U.S. companies in industries that use a lot of energy to receive "rebates" to compensate for additional costs of cap and trade. If