International Economic Law and Policy Blog (Page 443)

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Investment Protectionism

Claude Barfield worries about recent actions taken to restrict foreign investment: There is, however, one ominous sign of protectionism in an area that is mostly outside the scope of WTO trade rules: foreign direct investment (FDI). The leading advocate of investment protectionism is French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has proposed

Rethinking WTO subsidy rules: Should the SCM have an escape clause?

Call it the “subsidy war” or “domestic policy space”, as you wish. The world has dramatically changed over the last three months: governments from the United States to just about every other country have rushed to rescue their economies by pumping trillions of dollars into their financial and manufacturing sectors.

Trade in Everything: Christmas Products

From Jonathan Dingel: The US nominal average ad valorem tariff rate for (12 Days of) Christmas this year, which I calculated using the handy Harmonized (Tariff) Christmas schedule, is only 1.9%. I assume that Santa has MFN status. Drums 4.8% Pipes 0% Milking machines 0% Swans 1.8%

The Great Subsidy War is Coming?

On Dec 22nd, China requested the establishment of the panel in the case against US AD & CVD duties on certain products (steel pipe, tires, etc.). This is the third case China has brought against the US and the 2nd case China brought against US CVD practices. There are several

Krugman on Reducing the Trade Deficit

Paul Krugman writes: A more plausible route to sustained recovery would be a drastic reduction in the U.S. trade deficit, which soared at the same time the housing bubble was inflating. By selling more to other countries and spending more of our own income on U.S.-produced goods,

Are Tariffs High Enough to Worry About?

In Foreign Affairs, Aaditya Mattoo and Arvind Subramanian argue: But the issues now at stake in Doha are marginal, and, more important, Doha distracts attention from other matters of greater significance, such as the consequences for trade from misaligned exchange rates and environmental protection. One of the points -- although in

Fuel and Energy Conference

Assuming the new Obama administration is going to take some action to fight climate change, how will this be done in accordance with trade rules? This is one of the issues to be addressed at he conference on "Fuel Rules - Energy, Emissions and the World Trade Organization," February

From textiles to peanuts

On Friday, the USTR filed another WTO case against China concerning China's "Famous Brands" programs. According to the Consultation Request, the Chinese programs allegedly violate the SCM Agreement, the Ag Agreement, and the NT obligation under GATT Art. III. In the press release, USTR Susan Schwab

A "Progressive, Pro-Trade Agenda"

That's how Ron Kirk described the trade policy he would pursue at the news conference where his appointment was just announced. ADDED: From the press conference that followed (my rough transcription): Q: How do we keep jobs from going overseas? Obama: Rebuild our infrastructure; get financial system working

A Subsidy War?

Former AB Member Jim Bacchus looks at the auto bailout and notes: The U.S. is not the only country contemplating auto and other subsidies as a way of confronting the global recession. The Europeans are drafting an auto subsidies plan now. Canada and China are considering assisting their automakers.