I've heard it suggested that opening up developing country tobacco markets to foreign competition will mean lower prices and greater consumption.  But is that true?  This article calls this into question: For more than two decades, public health scholars and proponents have demonstrated concern about the negative effects

For those of you who may have missed this interesting free new publication by the WTO, I point out " The History and Future of the World Trade Organization" by Craig VanGrasstek. It can be downloaded HERE for free as PDF. I looked through it, and I was surprised

I've been watching the confirmation hearing for Cecilia Malmström as the next EU trade commissioner.  It was really very interesting.  Much more detailed questions and answers than we usually see in U.S. congressional hearings. She suggested that she was open to the possibility of excluding ISDS from

From WTO DG Roberto Azevedo: Some years ago there was a proposal to increase the number of AB members. Under the current situation the 7 member AB can handle around 10-12 appeals at most per year. That’s stretching the envelope. And this is with AB Members working almost

From WTO DG Roberto Azevedo: ... there are many big issues which can only be tackled in an efficient manner in the multilateral context through the WTO. Trade Facilitation was negotiated successfully in the WTO because it makes no economic sense to cut red tape or simplify trade procedures at the

Trade law is famous for its "sin" tax cases, on products such as alcohol and tobacco.  But the list of "sins" out there keeps growing.  There is sugar, there is junk food in general, and yes, now we have hamburgers.  This is from the FT: Anyone

Last week, I was complaining about an attempt to defend ISDS by someone who did not seem aware of how investment obligations work.  In contrast, here is someone who gets it right: What investment treaties typically do is offer investors (in either direction) reciprocal guarantees of basic principles such as

The U.S. has been threatening to pursue complaints under labor chapters of trade agreements for a while now.  USTR's announcement yesterday may indicate that we will soon see an actual panel process completed: United States Trade Representative Michael Froman today announced that the United States is proceeding