International Trade Law

This course will survey the law and policy of modern international trade agreements, with an emphasis on the treaty network of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other important multilateral arrangements, as well as U.S. laws governing "unfair trade practices" such as subsidization and dumping. Topics will include the political economy of the treaty framework, the relationship between international and domestic law, bilateralism versus multilateralism, the current crisis in the WTO dispute resolution system and its origins, and the tensions between international trade law and domestic regulation. Issues of particular current interest will also be addressed, including the current trade row with China, and the imposition of tariffs on national security grounds, and Buy American policies. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Class participation, attendance and final exam or research paper.