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Hillary Clinton on the TPP

From the Washington Post: Clinton, the Democratic pres­idential front-runner, responded in writing to a question on the lame-duck session from a coalition of Oregon labor unions and environmental groups by stating: “I oppose the TPP agreement — and that means before and after the election.” ... On the Oregon questionnaire, in
Simon Lester 06 May 2016 1 min read

Protectionism

Regular readers know how much I like to obsess over the meaning of "protectionism" and the purpose of trade agreements. Sweden's National Board of Trade has a great new report that delves into these questions. Here's an excerpt: As mentioned, the approaches to protectionism
Simon Lester 04 May 2016 1 min read

Obama on the TPP

This is from President Obama in an op-ed pushing for the TPP: ... China is negotiating a trade deal that would carve up some of the fastest-growing markets in the world at our expense, putting American jobs, businesses and goods at risk. ... Fortunately, America has a plan of our own that
Simon Lester 04 May 2016 2 min read

Will TTIP be "Light"?

This is from Inside US Trade: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and German Economic Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Monday (April 25) each blamed the other side for holding up progress in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations, with Gabriel charging the U.S. with intransigence on government
Simon Lester 02 May 2016 3 min read

Can Trade Agreements Change Domestic Laws?

This is from EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström: It begs to be said, again and again: No EU trade agreement will ever lower our level of protection of consumers, or food safety, or of the environment. Trade agreements will not change our laws on GMOs, or how to produce safe
Simon Lester 02 May 2016 1 min read

Maybe Purpose Can Be Part of Non-Discrimination After All

Reading further in the Argentina - Financial Services AB report, maybe I was getting all worked up over nothing.  After seeming to say that "regulatory aspects" of the measure cannot be considered as a separate step in the conditions of competition/treatment no less favorable analysis, the AB
Simon Lester 29 Apr 2016 1 min read

Determining a Measure's Purpose

We had so much fun talking about discriminatory purpose last week, I thought I'd bring up the subject again.  This time, I want to focus on exactly how one might evaluate a measure's legitimacy, which you may or may not think involves a determination as to
Simon Lester 29 Apr 2016 7 min read

Regulating "Healthy" Cigarettes

From The Economist: TOBACCO companies specialise in contradiction. They herald the decline of smoking among youngsters, for example, then flaunt their sales to callow puffers. The most skilled contortionist in the industry may be Philip Morris International, the world’s biggest tobacco firm. To date, any good news for shareholders
Simon Lester 26 Apr 2016 1 min read

Section 337 Case on "Unfair and Illegal Practices Affecting Steel Sector"

This is a bold new case against steel imports: United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard issued the following statement today in support of a new petition filed by United States Steel Corporation (U.S. Steel) under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The petition was filed
Simon Lester 26 Apr 2016 2 min read

Guest Post: Treaty Interpretation Issues in Mesa v. Canada

This is a guest post from Mona Pinchis on the Mesa v. Canada NAFTA Chapter 11 decision On March 24, 2016, a decision was rendered in the Mesa Power Group LLC v Canada dispute. The Government of Canada released the decision a few days ago, including a concurring and dissenting
Simon Lester 24 Apr 2016 5 min read

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International Economic Law and Policy Blog

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Comparing the Enforcement Provisions in the New U.S. Trade Deals

Building on the comparison of trade agreement provisions in my last post, let's take a look at the "enforcement" provisions of the six agreements for which the legal texts have been published.
11 Feb 2026 3 min read

Comparing the Economic and National Security Provisions in the New U.S. Trade Deals

By my count, we now have the legal texts of five Trump administration trade agreements. Will there be enforcement actions under these agreements?
09 Feb 2026 5 min read

Jamieson Greer on the 30 Year Aberration in U.S. Trade Policy

When he was in Davos last week for the World Economic Forum, U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer talked a bit about U.S. trade policy history and described a recent period during which, in his view, U.S. trade policy shifted away from tariffs/protectionism and towards free trade.
29 Jan 2026 6 min read

Is this the end of MFN as we know it? The EU submission on WTO reform and the meaning of development

With the release of the EU submission on WTO reform, it has become clear that the MFN principle’s central role within the WTO architecture is under challenge. As a keystone, it risks the entire bridge falling. Even if the foundations are retained but deemed outdated or unusable, and a
23 Jan 2026 3 min read

Can "Geopolitical" Tariffs Be Dealt With through Trade Deals?

Last Friday, U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer was asked about Trump's initial suggestion of tariffs related to the goal of taking over Greenland
20 Jan 2026 4 min read

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