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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

Trade in Everything: Christmas Products

From Jonathan Dingel: The US nominal average ad valorem tariff rate for (12 Days of) Christmas this year, which I calculated using the handy Harmonized (Tariff) Christmas schedule, is only 1.9%. I assume that Santa has MFN status. Drums 4.8% Pipes 0% Milking machines 0% Swans 1.8%

Krugman on Reducing the Trade Deficit

Paul Krugman writes: A more plausible route to sustained recovery would be a drastic reduction in the U.S. trade deficit, which soared at the same time the housing bubble was inflating. By selling more to other countries and spending more of our own income on U.S.-produced goods,

Are Tariffs High Enough to Worry About?

In Foreign Affairs, Aaditya Mattoo and Arvind Subramanian argue: But the issues now at stake in Doha are marginal, and, more important, Doha distracts attention from other matters of greater significance, such as the consequences for trade from misaligned exchange rates and environmental protection. One of the points -- although in

Fuel and Energy Conference

Assuming the new Obama administration is going to take some action to fight climate change, how will this be done in accordance with trade rules? This is one of the issues to be addressed at he conference on "Fuel Rules - Energy, Emissions and the World Trade Organization," February

A "Progressive, Pro-Trade Agenda"

That's how Ron Kirk described the trade policy he would pursue at the news conference where his appointment was just announced. ADDED: From the press conference that followed (my rough transcription): Q: How do we keep jobs from going overseas? Obama: Rebuild our infrastructure; get financial system working

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