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The Tuna/Dolphin Appellate Body 21.5 Ruling: A decision that could threaten the integrity and efficiency of WTO dispute settlement

As Susan Esserman and I pointed out in Foreign Affairs some years back, the WTO dispute settlement system is among the most advanced adjudicative mechanisms yet devised for international law. One of its innovative features is a means by which disagreements over compliance are themselves subject to resolution by the
Rob Howse 24 Nov 2015 16 min read

The First ISDS Marijuana Case

Earlier this year, I was speculating about a NAFTA Chapter 11 claim against a U.S. tax provision that had an impact on marijuana businesses, and more generally I've been wondering about ISDS challenges to marijuana regulation.  I thought the first such claim -- or rather, the intent to
Simon Lester 24 Nov 2015 1 min read

Guest Post on Annexation of Ukrainian Territory

This is a guest post from Nataliya Haletska, a PhD student at Ivan Franko Lviv National University, Ukraine I am working on a paper regarding the possibility of bringing territorial disputes under the auspices of the WTO. Particularly, I came to conclusion that the annexation of the part of Ukrainian
Simon Lester 24 Nov 2015 2 min read

Indian Journal of International Economic Law: Call for Papers

The Indian Journal of International Economic Law (IJIEL) is a law journal published by National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU) under the patronage of the Indian government sponsored chair on WTO Law. The Journal is oriented towards publishing academic work that considers the legal issues in the field
Tania Voon 20 Nov 2015 1 min read

Quick Take on WTO AB Tuna Ruling

I'm sure Rob (and maybe others) will weigh in soon on today's WTO Appellate Body ruling in the Article 21.5 proceeding of U.S. - Tuna, but let me just quickly mention one point that occurs to me.  (The facts of the measure here are complex,
Simon Lester 20 Nov 2015 2 min read

"Like Circumstances" in the TPP Trade in Services Chapter

From the TPP cross-border trade in services chapter: Article 10.3: National Treatment2 1. Each Party shall accord to services and service suppliers of another Party treatment no less favourable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to its own services and service suppliers. 2 For greater certainty, whether
Simon Lester 19 Nov 2015 1 min read

No ISDS as between Australia and New Zealand

Via what is referred to as an "associated document" on the Australia DFAT web site, and a "side instrument" on the NZ MFAT web site, Australia and New Zealand have agreed to exclude ISDS as between each other in the TPP: 3. No investor of New
Simon Lester 19 Nov 2015 1 min read

Assessing the TPP at the ITC

From the U.S. International Trade Commission: The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has instituted an investigation to assess the likely impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement that the President has announced he intends to enter into with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand,
Simon Lester 18 Nov 2015 1 min read

Interpreting GATT Article XXI

Russia wants further interpretation of GATT Article XXI to be on the post-Nairobi agenda: Interpretation and Implementation of Security Exceptions provided in the Multilateral Trade Agreements 1.5. With reference to the "Decision Concerning Article XXI of the General Agreement" adopted by the CONTRACTING PARTIES on November
Simon Lester 18 Nov 2015 1 min read

WTO Jurisprudence in TPP Dispute Settlement

This is from Article 28.11 of the TPP Dispute Settlement Chapter: 3. The panel shall consider this Agreement in accordance with applicable rules of interpretation under international law as reflected in Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969). In addition, with respect
Simon Lester 16 Nov 2015 1 min read

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International Economic Law and Policy Blog

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Featured

Does The EU Need Its Own Section 301 To Counter China's Distortions?

Recently, economists Sander Tordoir and Brad Setser suggested that the EU may need its own version of Section 301 in order to "confront China’s systemic distortions beyond piecemeal trade defence."
17 Jun 2026 7 min read

The Section 301 Forced Labor Import Ban Report

On June 2, 2026, USTR released its report on 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.
04 Jun 2026 11 min read

What To Expect from the USMCA Review?

The USMCA review is almost upon us. How exactly things will proceed is a bit unclear, as we've never done this sort of thing before, but July 1 is the six year anniversary of the USMCA's entry into force.
03 Jun 2026 15 min read

China in the World Trading System: A Response to Chad, and Some Comments on Froman-Greer

I'm going to use this post to (1) respond to Chad and (2) comment on an exchange between current U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer and former U.S. Trade Rep. Mike Froman at a recent CFR event.
01 Jun 2026 7 min read

My Response To Simon on China in the World Trading System

Here are two quick reactions to the super important question of what explains why countries did not use WTO dispute settlement to push China to change.
28 May 2026 2 min read

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