International Economic Law and Policy Blog

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Simon Lester

A New Era of Strategic Trade Policy?

In the Guardian, Kevin Gallagher has a short article (based on a longer study here) in which he suggests a possible comback for strategic trade policy: Change is in the air. As we know in the aftermath of the financial crisis, the US has justified – like never before – a strong

Blustein Reimagines Global Trade, without Bilateralism

Brookings just issued a report entitled "Top 10 Global Economic Challenges Facing America's 44th President." The introduction and one of the chapters were written by Lael Brainard (who has been mentioned as a possible U.S. Trade Rep. in an Obama administration). One of the chapters

Trade Policy: Obama vs. McCain

WITA had a recent event on the trade policy differences between an Obama and a McCain administration. Lael Brainard represented the Obama campaign and Phil Levy represented the McCain campaign. The event was not available online as far as I could tell, but a couple news organizations covered it. Here&

WTO Scholars' Forum: WTO and Fisheries Subsidies

A new WTO Scholars' Forum event: Moot Court, Faculty of Law, University College London (UCL), Bentham House, Endsleigh Gardens, WC1H OEGTo register free of charge please contact Forum administrator, Ann Tucker, ann.tucker@ucl.ac.ukMargaret Young is the William Charnley Research Fellow in Public International Law at Pembroke

Tainted Milk and Trade Rules

I often hear trade critics say that WTO rules prevent countries from taking action to ensure food safety, but do they really? In response to the terrible Chinese tainted milk scare, some countries are taking action against imports. For example: the European Union will require testing of all imported products

Barfield on Export Restrictions

Claude Barfield has some interesting and insightful things to say about export restrictions here. Here's a brief excerpt where he talks about the prospects for WTO disputes in this area: While these policies should be countered through negotiations, I would argue (without getting into the dense WTO legalese)

Another Trade Preferences for Fighting Drugs Case?

USTR announces: U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced that President Bush has directed her to publish in the Federal Register a notice of his proposed action to suspend Bolivia’s designation as a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) and the Andean Trade Promotion and

Bailout Bill Pork

Taxpayers for Common Sense provides details on the pork included in the bailout bill in order to secure its passage, including the following: Sec 502. Provisions related to film and television productionsIn an effort to keep film and television productions in the U.S, they would be eligible for a

Obama's Latest Trade Comments

In a Q & A with the Detroit Free Press, Obama explains that he is for free trade, but he wants the U.S. to do a better job negotiating and he wants labor and environment standards included in trade agreements: Q: You’ve been accused of flip-flopping on

Bananas, Healthy Kids and Trade

EU policies related to bananas have a long history in trade disputes. Is this the next chapter: EU agriculture ministers gave broad political support on Tuesday to a scheme offering millions of schoolchildren free fresh fruit and vegetables from next year as a way to promote healthy eating and tackle