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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

More on EC GSP

Speaking of the EC GSP program, as I was in the last post, the Economist has an article this week in which they discuss Sri Lanka's access to the GSP Plus program. The GSP Plus program requires compliance with various international labor, environmental and human rights standards, and

WTO Consistency of the EC GSP Program

Lukasz Adam Gruszczynski, of the European University Institute, has posted a paper titled "The EC General System of Preferences and International Obligations in the Area of Trade - The Never-Ending Story" on SSRN. From the conclusion: This article argues that a part of the new EC GSP scheme

Were the Doha Talks Actually a Success?

Ed Gresser says: The Geneva talks, therefore, ended in failure -- but one that disguised broadening areas of consensus and growing demands for a speedy conclusion to the talks. At a time of generalized worry -- high energy prices, food spikes, inflation and slowing growth -- this is a rare good omen for

Trade in Everything: Pygmy Hippoes

From the Economist: The Caricuao zoo in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, is a shadow of its former self. Its last giraffe, Napoleón, died 15 years ago. Ruperta, the last elephant, has been alone for over two years. Gone are the zebras, kangaroos and ostriches. Its director, Carlos Audrines, attributes the

Russia, Georgia and WTO Accession

From Reuters: A top Bush administration official on Tuesday played down any connection between Russia's military action in Georgia and Moscow's long-term bid to join the World Trade Organization. "We've worked with Russia in terms of the WTO accession and they still

A China-Vermont Trade Dispute?

From a Vermont TV station's web site: A state senator from Chittenden County said a letter received from a Chinese official criticizing legislation she has pending in Montpelier "flies in the face of state sovereignty and democratic principles." Sen. Virginia Lyons of Chittenden County chairs the

A Novel Application of Non-Violation

Speaking of WTO legal claims that are a bit of a stretch (which I feel like I've been offering quite a bit of recently) ... Typically, the "benefits" at issue in a non-violation claim are those resulting from a trading partner's tariff concessions. So,

Another Open Panel Hearing

We can add Australia and New Zealand to the club of Members requesting open panel hearings in their disputes: At the request of the parties in the dispute “Australia — Measures Affecting the Importation of Apples from New Zealand (WT/DS367)”, the dispute panel has agreed to open its first substantive

The Democratic Party's Trade Platform

From the draft Democratic party platform: Smart, Strong, and Fair Trade Policies We believe that trade should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs, while also laying a foundation for democratic, equitable, and sustainable growth around the world. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global

Tariff Discrimination that Hurts the Poor

Via Jonathan Dingel, I see that Ed Gresser of the Progressive Policy Institute is talking about how a large percentage of tariff duties are paid by the poor: It is only a slight exaggeration to argue that the tariff system has essentially evolved into a tax on clothes and shoes,