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ISDS Reform: Working Group III Gets Down to Brass Tacks

Last week, multilateral efforts to reform investor-state dispute resolution (ISDS) entered a new phase, with substantive discussions of reform options beginning in earnest. As readers of this blog are aware, delegations from around a hundred States have been working multilaterally toward reforming ISDS in the United Nations Commission on
Julian Arato 21 Oct 2019 5 min read

Do the U.S. and EU Have Different Visions for WTO Dispute Settlement and the Appellate Body?

This is from Inside US Trade: The “why question,” according to two sources, is directed at the European Union. The EU has said it does not agree with the U.S. view on the Appellate Body but is willing to work with the U.S. to resolve the issue. The
Simon Lester 20 Oct 2019 2 min read

World Trade and Investment Law Reimagined: A Progressive Agenda for an Inclusive Globalization

This is from Chantal Thomas: This is a late-breaking notice, but for those of you in the DC area, please come to the lunchtime discussion, this coming Monday October 21, of "World Trade and Investment Law Reimagined: A Progressive Agenda for an Inclusive Globalization," just out with
Simon Lester 18 Oct 2019 1 min read

Guest Post: A consensual “Quick-Fix” for the WTO Appellate Body is possible if there is the will!

This is a guest post from former Appellate Body Member Giorgio Sacerdoti:  As we all realize, the WTO is heading towards the practical loss of the Appellate Body by 10 December 2019 due to the US blocking of the launching of the selection process to fill the vacancies. The “concerns”
Simon Lester 17 Oct 2019 6 min read

U.S. Comments on "Precedent," DSU Article 11, and AD Agreement Article 17.6(ii)

In the hope of pushing the substantive discussion related to the Appellate Body crisis forward, here is a brief response to a couple points the U.S. made at the General Council meeting yesterday. First up, the U.S. says the following about the issue of "precedent": On
Simon Lester 16 Oct 2019 2 min read

Some Unsolicited Advice for Warren's Trade Policy Team

One of the most notable things about Elizabeth Warren's trade policy plan is what she doesn't talk about. She doesn't talk about the WTO. She doesn't talk about "national security" tariffs. She doesn't have much to say about
Simon Lester 10 Oct 2019 3 min read

A Critique of Warren's Trade Policy Plan

Back in July, I offered some quick thoughts on presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren's trade policy plan (entitled, "It's Time for a New Approach to Trade"). Now I'm going to offer a more detailed critique, and I'll follow with a post
Simon Lester 10 Oct 2019 15 min read

Guest Post: Some Remarks on “Who writes the Rulings of the World Trade Organization? A Critical Assessment of the Role of the Secretariat in WTO Dispute Settlement”

This is a guest post by Pieter Jan Kuijper  Some Remarks on  “Who writes the Rulings of the World Trade Organization? A Critical Assessment of the Role of the Secretariat in WTO Dispute Settlement” By Joost Pauwelyn & Krzysztof J. Pelc[1] The paper concentrates entirely on the role the
Simon Lester 09 Oct 2019 9 min read

The U.S.-Japan Trade Deal: Can a Political Agreement Liberalize Trade Without Institutions?

The U.S. - Japan trade deal was signed today. USTR provides the legal texts here. Based on the various fact sheets, it looks like the agreement contains a modest amount of tariff liberalization. Let's look briefly at what's in the deal, focusing on four questions: (1)
Simon Lester 07 Oct 2019 4 min read

The historical references in the U.S. First Submission in United States-Certain Measures on Steel and Aluminum Products

The United States’ First Submission for United States-Certain Measures on Steel and Aluminum Products is out. Similar to its third-party submissions in the Russia-Traffic in Transit dispute, the United States argues the drafting history of the International Trade Organization (ITO) supports an understanding that Article XXI GATT
Mona Paulsen 06 Oct 2019 10 min read

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Why Section 338 Does Not Work in a GATT/WTO World: Lessons from Trade Law History

On July 21, 2026, President Trump exercised his authority under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (hereinafter Section 338) to impose the maximum amount of additional tariffs (fifty per cent) on Canadian cars, alcohol, and dairy, owing to his determination of Canada’s discriminatory treatment of US exports.
23 Jul 2026 10 min read

EU WTO Reform Proposal Seeks To Extend Accession-Based State Enterprise Rules To All Members

In a new WTO reform paper entitled "Further Reflections on Disciplines, Subsidies and Industrial policy," the EU argues for stronger WTO disciplines on the behavior of state enterprises.
17 Jul 2026 5 min read

Governments Make Their Case Against Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs

Last month, USTR made a determination in its Section 301 investigation into "Acts, Policies, and Practices of Various Economies Related to the Failure To Impose and Effectively Enforce a Prohibition on the Importation of Goods Produced With Forced Labor."
10 Jul 2026 5 min read

How Should the EU Get Tough with China? Unilateral Action vs. WTO Complaints

I've seen several recent calls for the EU to get tougher in its economic relations with China, along with arguments that it has been too slow to act against the Chinese economic threat.
06 Jul 2026 4 min read

Trump Administration Decides Not To Extend USMCA for Another Term: What Does That Mean Exactly?

Today, as part of the first joint review of the USMCA, the three governments held a virtual meeting.
01 Jul 2026 4 min read

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