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#International Trade Law

INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW

The ILI has established an International Trade Law Center to assist countries in participating effectively in the WTO and the markets it creates. The Center provides advice to national governments on establishing the legal and administrative structures necessary to comply with their obligations under the WTO agreements, as well as advice on issues relating to dispute resolution. An important component of the Center's activities is in-depth training of individuals in government, in business, and in professional practice with respect to the WTO rules, procedures, and practices. Each course and consultation program -- especially those relating to compliance and law reform -- is built by reference to the specific legal institutions and level of legal development of the country for which the services are being provided, as well as the specific needs and challenges faced by that country in participating effectively in the rule-oriented trading system.

PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY THE CENTER INCLUDE:

• Training more than 250 Chinese judges on WTO

• Assisting the Government of Armenia in developing trade policies and implementing the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade

• Assisting the Government of Jordan to draft its final offer to the WTO regarding the GPA

• Offering a course on trade agreement monitoring and compliance five times a year at the U.S Foreign Service Institute

• A six-month training program for a group of Chinese lawyers from Zhejiang Province focusing on trade and commercial law

• A six–month training program for a Ministry of Justice of Vietnam's lawyer delegation on international economic integration

• Assisting Zambia with its Trade Policy Review

COMPLYING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL RULES ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT

More than 153 governments have signed the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization, committing themselves to comply with a large body of complex rules and procedures that regulate the actions of national governments affecting international trade. A continuing work program is under way in the WTO on important topics such as competition policy. Every country expecting to gain the benefits of WTO membership will in turn be expected to comply with its obligations under the WTO agreements and to implement them effectively through changes in its domestic laws, institutions, and administrative practices. Each country will also want to take steps, when necessary, to insure compliance by other countries.

Beyond the WTO - The last decade or so has seen an explosion in the number of regional trade agreements - mostly free trade areas and customs unions – and this trend is likely to continue even if the Doha Round of multinational trade negotiations is successfully concluded.

SUBJECTS ADDRESSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LAW TRADE CENTER

Negotiating Trade Agreements

• Agreements of accession to the WTO, General Trade Agreements and·Regional Trade Agreements

Ensuring that the country's domestic laws and administrative practices are consistent with WTO obligations on matters such as: