Understanding Trade Law

This book provides a short, straightforward account of the basic structure and principles of international trade law written by one of the leading authorities in this field.

The book covers, in a series of short chapters, all the major issues in international trade law, including:-

• dispute settlement;
• the Most Favoured Nation Principle;
• preferential trade agreements;
• the National Treatment Principle;
• contingent protection laws (anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards);
• trade and agriculture;
• trade and services;
• trade and investment;
• trade-related intellectual property rights;
• trade policy and domestic health;
• safety, environmental and labour regulation;
• and trade policy and developing countries.

Each chapter sets out the basic provisions and relevant GATT/WTO agreements governing the issues in question, the central issues or conflicts that have arisen in the interpretation and application of these provisions, leading GATT/WTO case law generated by the formal dispute settlement processes of the GATT/WTO, and unresolved issues that remain a matter of controversy.

Understanding Trade Law will be a beneficial resource for undergraduate and graduate students studying the regulation of international trade, policy-makers in government, members of national and international NGOs with a special interest in international economic issues, as well as members of domestic interest groups concerned with trade issues.