We describe recent work on the theory of trade agreements that speaks to the purpose and design of GATT. Our discussion proceeds in three steps. First, we examine the purpose of a trade agreement. In both the traditional economic and the political-economy approaches to the study of trade...

The aim of this research is to examine the legitimacy of global economic governance and clarify to what extent the convergence of interests among state actors and non-state actors enhances the effectiveness of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The strengthened legitimacy of global economic...

In January 2019, 76 WTO members representing 90% of world trade economy launched the "ECommerce plurilateral negotiations" aimed at developing international rules in the ECommerce/digital trade field to adapt to the globalization and digital development of the economy. The negotiations covered...

This article investigates the current crisis surrounding the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization, as well as solutions that have been proposed in order to remedy it. Citing frustrations with the Appellate Body, since 2017, the United States has blocked any new appointments to the...

The 11th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) in Buenos Aires, Argentina ended on December 13, 2017, without final and substantive agreements on international rules to curb fisheries subsidies across the globe. Worse yet, with the 12th Conference tentatively...

For 22 years, the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have been discussing how to govern e-commerce and the data that underpins it. In 2019, some 74 (now 86) nations began to negotiate e-commerce. These talks are conducted in secret and little is known about how they are progressing....

This paper discusses the likely evolution of the trade and environment issue in the World Trade Organization after the upcoming ministerial meeting in Singapore this December. It makes a number of points. Progress within the GATT/WTO on this issue looks likely to be slow and painfully...

This article builds from original fieldwork to show what lies behind China’s remarkably successful use of international trade law to take on the United States and Europe. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is unique in China’s international relations as it is the only forum where China, with...