Just announced: Chairperson: Mr Alexander Erwin Members:    Mr François Dessemontet, Ms Billie Miller Erwin (South Africa) was on the Renewable Energy/Feed-in Tariff panel; Dessemontet (Switzerland) was on Section 211 many years ago.  Miller (Barbados) is a first time panelist.  Some biographical info for her is here. ADDED: To

From the Japan Times: The European Union is insisting on a human rights clause linked to a proposed economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan, it was learned Monday. In negotiations between the EU and Japan on a strategic partnership agreement (SPA), which are held in parallel with their EPA talks,

The answer is NO, according to our own Simon Lester.  In his posting on the Huffington Post today, Simon presented an excellent case for multilateralism.  In particular, Simon underscored various multilateral disciplines unique to the WTO, such as those governing customs administration and trade remedies (antidumping and subsidies).  In this

Here's a brief rundown of what's going on in the China - Rare Earths dispute, which involves three separate complaints -- DS431 (US); DS432 (EU); and DS433 (Japan) -- that were merged into one panel proceeding, and resulted in three panel reports circulated in a single document. As we

From the University of Aberdeen: Technology has a key role in addressing the contemporary challenges of society, from health to communications to energy. These are global issues, given the location of key natural resources in developing countries, and the nature of the markets for health, communication and energy.  Development and

Those interested in regulatory convergence issues in TTIP might like to know about a newly published study commissioned by the European Parliament: Alberto Alemanno, 'The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the parliamentary dimension of regulatory cooperation'. It is available here: /content/files/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2014/

In a likely response to the U.S.-led “Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP),” China mulls the formation of an “Asia-Pacific Free Trade Agreement (FTAAP).”  China’s assistant commerce minister, Wang Shouwen, reportedly stated that a working group might be established to discuss the feasibility of the FTAAP.  Wang was

As this blog's readers are well aware, I've taken an interest in international investment law in the past few years, and am skeptical of the existing system. My Cato colleague Dan Ikenson has doubts as well.  But beyond our specific criticisms, we would really like to

This is from Roger Alford at Opinio Juris: despite the assumption that international trade disputes must be resolved before the WTO DSB, the existence of broad umbrella clauses in BITs present a promising vehicle for enforcing investment commitments in trade agreements. ... umbrella clauses in BITs could create a private right

From the The Canadian Council on International Law: Combustion: Energy, Resources and Environmental Issues Igniting International Law November 13-15, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario The Canadian Council on International Law is pleased to announce its 43rd Annual Conference: "Combustion: Energy, Resources, and Environmental Issues Igniting International Law". Practitioners and