The WTO press release is here: The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) appointed on 18 November 2011 the following two new members to the seven-member Appellate Body: Messrs Ujal Singh Bhatia of India and Thomas R. Graham of the United States for four years commencing on 11 December 2011. Messrs

My knowledge of Korean politics is pretty limited, so I wasn't sure what to make of this: President Lee Myung-bak told members of the ruling and opposition party leadership Tuesday that if the National Assembly asked him for renegotiations on the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement’s

From a recent TBT Committee meeting: Tobacco: Australia’s plain packaging This issue attracted the most attention in this meeting even though it had already been discussed at length in the June meeting. Because it affects trademarks it has also been discussed in the Council for Trade Related Aspects of

I have had long doubts as to whether the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will ever be completed.  Too many countries, too many issues.  With Japan now talking about joining, I'm even more skeptical.  But hey, what do I know?  Let me ask others what they think with

From the International Economic Law Interest Group (IEcLIG) of American Society of International Law (ASIL) and Suffolk University School of Law: Post - Crisis International Financial Regulation: Fragmentation, Harmonization and Coordination December 2, 2011 Suffolk University  School of Law 8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast 9:00-9:15 General Introduction: Elizabeth

From the WTO announcement: Russia’s accession to the WTO cleared a major hurdle when the WTO Working Party on its accession approved, ad referendum on 10 November 2011, the package spelling out Russia’s terms of entry to the organization. The Working Party will now send its accession recommendation

From a recent USDA Federal Register notice, here's a new regulation that attempts to promote the fresh cut Christmas tree industry: This rule establishes an industry- funded promotion, research, and information program for fresh cut Christmas trees. The Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order), was submitted

For those following the various aspects of the legality of domestic tobacco labelling restrictions under international economic law, this U.S. court decision (reported by the AP) may be of interest: A judge on Monday blocked a federal requirement that would have begun forcing tobacco companies next year to put

There are many people who think that intent (or aim or motive or purpose or policy justification, or whatever you want to call it) should not be part of the National Treatment obligation.  For these people, such issues are better left to exception provisions, such as GATT Article XX. But