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Simon Lester

A Subsidy War?

Former AB Member Jim Bacchus looks at the auto bailout and notes: The U.S. is not the only country contemplating auto and other subsidies as a way of confronting the global recession. The Europeans are drafting an auto subsidies plan now. Canada and China are considering assisting their automakers.

The Unenviable Position of Rules Chair

A bracketed note in the latest Rules negotiating texts: [ZEROING: Delegations remain profoundly divided on this issue. Positions range from insistence on a total prohibition of zeroing irrespective of the comparison methodology used and in respect of all proceedings to a demand that zeroing be specifically authorized in all contexts.

Ron Kirk: Protectionist or Free Trader?

The debate begins. From the WSJ: By naming Mr. Kirk, Mr. Obama nodded to the free-trade wing of the Democratic Party, which is small but has important ties to business. As Dallas's first African-American mayor, between 1995 and 2001, Mr. Kirk promoted Dallas on trips overseas

Ron Kirk Is (Probably) U.S. Trade Rep.

The Washington Post reports: President-elect Barack Obama will nominate former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to be U.S. trade representative, a source familiar with decision said on Thursday. Obama is expected to make the announcement on Friday in Chicago, the source said. So what are Kirk's views

Vilsack is Secretary of Agriculture

As AFP puts it: [Obama] nominated former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack as his secretary of agriculture, putting the fervent advocate of corn-based ethanol in charge of the nation's much-criticized 300-billion-dollar farm spending. I can think of a few U.S. trading partners who will

Becerra is Out

Politico reports: Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) has declined to take the position of U.S. Trade Representative, his spokeswoman, Fabiola Rodriguez-Ciampoli, confirms ...

Another Candidate for U.S. Trade Rep.?

From Doug Palmer at Reuters: NBC's local affiliate in the Dallas area reported on Sunday it had been told by an "extremely high level source" that [former Dallas Mayor Ron] Kirk was one of two finalists for two different administration jobs: U.S. trade representative and

Dani Rodrik on Policy Space

Dani Rodrik argues: Developing nations also need to enshrine the notion of "policy space" in the World Trade Organization. The goal would be to ensure that developing countries can employ the kind of trade and industrial policies needed to restructure and diversify their economies and set the stage

Barcelo on Burdens

John Barcelo has posted an article on SSRN called "Burden of Proof, Prima Facie Case and Presumption into WTO Dispute Settlement." The abstract: The essay maintains that the WTO Appellate Body's concepts and terminology concerning a claimant's burden of proof-the concepts of prima

More Muddling of "Interpret" and "Clarify"

In the recent decision in Bananas, the AB had this to say about "interpretations" under WTO Agreement Article IX:2: 383. Multilateral interpretations of provisions of WTO law are the next method identified above. Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement sets out specific requirements for decisions that