IIEL Releases Issue Brief on WTO Reform

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

IIEL Releases Issue Brief on WTO Reform

IIEL most recent issue brief, Chris Brummer comments
Source: Georgetown University Law Center

Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have been unable to agree on the appointment of new members to the seven-person Appellate Body (AB) in a timely fashion.  IIEL’s recently released Issue Brief, a product of discussions between Georgetown faculty, students and stakeholders, provides a solution to the problem without taking sides in the debate over whether the Appellate Body’s current practice of appointing hold-overs from earlier appointments is or is not permissible under the current rules. It proposes a single amendment to the DSU that represents a compromise—limiting the use of hold-overs while creating incentives for the timely replacement of ABMs whose terms of office are coming to an end. 

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EU to Refuse Trade Negotiations with Non-Parties to the Climate Accord

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

EU to Refuse Trade Negotiations with Non-Parties to the Climate Accord

Workers adjust European Commission logo, Chris Brummer comments on circumstance
Workers adjust and clean the logo of the European Commission at the entrance to its headquarters Reuters

The European Union will reportedly refuse to sign trade deals with countries that do not ratify the Paris climate change agreement and take steps to combat global warming, under a new Brussels policy.   With the United States the sole holdout, the stance could permanently derail TTIP negotiations already halted under the Trump administration.

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NAFTA’s Prospects For Survival Increase

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

NAFTA's Prospects For Survival Increase

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin discusses NAFTA renegotiation, Chris Brummer comments
Photo of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin by Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

According to various news sources, NAFTA appears set for renegotiation, not cancellation.  Senior officials from Treasury, the Agriculture Department and USTR have all signaled that the chances of termination have diminished.

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The TPP Could Create New Value Chains in Asia, Independent of China and US

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

The TPP Could Create New Value Chains in Asia, Independent of China and US

Chris Brummer Comments on TPP, Trump arrives at World Economic Forum
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 25. Source: asia.nikkei.com

The new TPP could create a new force for treatymaking unaligned with either China or the United States, according to new analysis from Bannon’s.

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Is the US heading back to the TPP? Not so fast

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

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NAFTA Negotiations could run into 2019, raising risk of termination

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

NAFTA Negotiations could run into 2019, raising risk of termination

NAFTA Negotiations could run into 2019, comments by Chris Brummer
Christinne Muschi/ Reuters

With consultations progressing slowly, some commentators are noting the possibility that NAFTA negotiations could drift into 2019.  Under such a scenario, a statement of principles would only be available after Mexico’s presidential elections.  One surprising possibility is, as Chris Brummer noted on hedged positions and twitter, that the United States may not need to explain its rationale for dumping NAFTA if Mexico does it first.

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New TPP Agreement to Be Signed, Without the United States, in March

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

New TPP Agreement to Be Signed, Without the United States, in March

 

TPP, U.S., Chile, March, Chris Brummer
kyodonews.net

The 11 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will sign a new pact without the United States on March 8 in Chile after overcoming differences on outstanding issues, including a request by Canada on cultural protection, Japan’s TTP minister announced.

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Canada anticipates “innovative” negotiations for NAFTA

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

Canada anticipates "innovative" negotiations for NAFTA

Canada, NAFTA, Innovation, Negotiations, Chris Brummer
Cole Burston/Bloomberg

Canada’s minister of international trade has noted that the government intends to be “constructive” and “innovative” as the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations resume in Montreal.   The Financial Post reports that Canada’s major issues include the dispute settlement mechanism and supply management.

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China’s Weak Hand in Potential Trade War With U.S.

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

China’s Weak Hand in Potential Trade War With U.S.

A Chinese flag in Beijing’s central business district. While China has many options with which to retaliate against potential United States tariffs, it has few good ones. Credit Jason Lee/Reuters

Christopher Bedoor argues in the New York Times that China’s stockpiles of U.S. Treasuries makes a trade war with the United States improbable.

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Canada launches case against US at WTO

Professor of Law : Georgetown University, and Director, Institute of International Economic Law

Canada launches case against US at WTO

Chris Brummer, Canada, WTO, China
A flock of Canada geese flies over cargo ships at anchor in English Bay, outside the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, November 19, 2016. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo

An important development in North American trade matters not involving NAFTA happened this week.  According to Reuters, Canada launched a complaint against the US last week, challenging Washington’s use of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties.  Nearly 200 examples of alleged U.S. wrongdoing were reportedly alleged, though interestingly, the examples did not concern China, but other trading partners including China, India, Brazil and the European Union.

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