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The Tuna Panel's TBT 2.2 "More Trade Restrictive Than Necessary" Finding

Here's the U.S. - Tuna panel's ultimate finding under TBT Agreement Article 2.2: 7.620 In light of our determinations above in relation to both objectives of the US dolphin-safe provisions, we find that these measures are more trade-restrictive than necessary to fulfil
Simon Lester 18 Sep 2011 1 min read

"Likeness" in the Tuna-Dolphin Panel Report

We're not even done talking about U.S. - Clove Cigarettes, but now we have a new TBT panel report:  U.S. - Tuna II (Mexico) (the new tuna-dolphin case).  I'm overloading on TBT Agreement issues! Here's an excerpt from the panel's findings
Simon Lester 15 Sep 2011 1 min read

What Does Cloves Cigarettes Mean For Discrimination Under GATT And Investment Treaties?

The Cloves panel analysis of TBT Art. 2 is fascinating. Given the structure of TBT Art. 2.1-2.2, and the absence of an explicit GATT Art. XX exception in TBT, I have long wondered how to read TBT 2.1 (national treatment) with TBT 2.2 (necessity) (see
Joost Pauwelyn 14 Sep 2011 5 min read

The "Likeness" of Cloves, Menthols and Candy Flavored Cigarettes

Here's more from Todd Tucker on the Clove Cigarettes ruling: While menthol and clove are both "flavored cigarettes," so are cola- and candy-flavored cigarettes. The U.S. argued, plausibly in my mind and to paraphrase Big Bird, that "one of these things is not
Simon Lester 12 Sep 2011 10 min read

Todd Tucker on the Clove Cigarettes Ruling

Not too surprisingly, Todd Tucker of Global Trade Watch is unhappy with the recent WTO panel ruling in the Clove Cigarettes case, where the panel found that a U.S. law which bans clove cigarettes while allowing menthol cigarettes violates the National Treatment obligation of the TBT Agreement.  In a
Simon Lester 08 Sep 2011 2 min read

Trade Talk in the GOP Debate: Huntsman's Response To Romney

From last night's GOP debate, here's a little trade talk that picks up on Mitt Romney's trade fight with China mentioned in the last post: Governor Huntsman, as you know, Governor Romney’s new economic plan calls for the U.S. government to officially
Simon Lester 08 Sep 2011 1 min read

Mitt Romney's "Reagan Economic Zone"

From a Mitt Romney op-ed in USA Today: Where President Obama left America's trade interests untended, I recognize the job-creating potential of international commerce. I will create the "Reagan Economic Zone," a partnership among countries committed to free enterprise and free trade. It will
Simon Lester 06 Sep 2011 1 min read

The Other Appellate Body Position

Thanks to a commenter for reminding me that there is another Appellate Body position up for grabs: India and Pakistan are going to battle it hard for a vacancy for judge at the WTO's highest court for trade disputes- the Appellate Body-- after New Delhi nominated former trade
Simon Lester 05 Sep 2011 1 min read

The China - Raw Materials Notice of Appeal

... is here:  http://www.worldtradelaw.net/na/ds398-10(na).pdf  Here's one aspect I'll be watching closely: III. APPEAL OF THE PANEL'S FINDING THAT CHINA DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO INVOKE ARTICLE XX OF THE GATT 1994 IN DEFENSE OF A CLAIM
Simon Lester 05 Sep 2011 1 min read

Chinese Land Purchases: Not Just in Africa Anymore

From the FT: A Chinese tycoon plans to buy a vast tract of Icelandic land for a $100m tourism project which critics fear could give Beijing a strategic foothold in the North Atlantic. Huang Nubo, a real estate investor and former Chinese government official, has struck a provisional deal to
Simon Lester 05 Sep 2011 1 min read

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Why Section 338 Does Not Work in a GATT/WTO World: Lessons from Trade Law History

On July 21, 2026, President Trump exercised his authority under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (hereinafter Section 338) to impose the maximum amount of additional tariffs (fifty per cent) on Canadian cars, alcohol, and dairy, owing to his determination of Canada’s discriminatory treatment of US exports.
23 Jul 2026 10 min read

EU WTO Reform Proposal Seeks To Extend Accession-Based State Enterprise Rules To All Members

In a new WTO reform paper entitled "Further Reflections on Disciplines, Subsidies and Industrial policy," the EU argues for stronger WTO disciplines on the behavior of state enterprises.
17 Jul 2026 5 min read

Governments Make Their Case Against Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs

Last month, USTR made a determination in 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."
10 Jul 2026 5 min read

How Should the EU Get Tough with China? Unilateral Action vs. WTO Complaints

I've seen several recent calls for the EU to get tougher in its economic relations with China, along with arguments that it has been too slow to act against the Chinese economic threat.
06 Jul 2026 4 min read

Trump Administration Decides Not To Extend USMCA for Another Term: What Does That Mean Exactly?

Today, as part of the first joint review of the USMCA, the three governments held a virtual meeting.
01 Jul 2026 4 min read

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