International Trade Law Practice Under WTO

Introduction:

Recent trends in international business reveal the emergence of a new area of international law known as international trade law. This legal framework addresses and removes barriers to international trade and competition, aligning with free market principles.

While the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the principal body managing international trade, other institutions also play significant roles. This course on international trade law treaties provides practicing lawyers with foundational skills for handling WTO disputes.

Objectives:

By the end of this WTO international trade law course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the status and objectives of international treaties within institutions like the WTO.
• Recognize practical realities in international business practices.
• Examine the relevant legal framework.
• Identify existing regional trade agreements and other treaties.
• Define and interpret the WTO legal regime.
• Analyze WTO obligations and commitments.
• Assess the WTO dispute resolution, compliance, and enforcement system.
• Grasp general principles governing international trade.
• Conceptualize trade and economic development concepts.
• Apply critical learning within their organization.

Training Methodology:

• Group discussions
• Interactive workshops
• Role play
• Simulations
• Quizzes and tests
• Real-life examples

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Theoretical Background

• Portrait and historical development of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• Philosophy underlying World Trade Agreements.
• Economic theories of trade and development.
• Basic economic concepts of trade.
• Countries and areas not included in WTO.
• The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
• Doha Round negotiations – achievements and challenges.
• Judicial remedies and procedures.

Unit 2: How the WTO Works in Practice

• WTO commitments.
• Trade defense measures, including antidumping.
• Tariffs and other barriers to trade.
• Non-tariff measures.
• Subsidies and subventions.
• Innovative efforts in trade.
• Intellectual Property (IP) and Research & Development (R&D).

Unit 3: Government Procurement in the Context of WTO

• Main targets and purposes of government procurement law.
• Legislation by the European Union.
• Legislation in the United States.
• Thresholds and waivers.
• Acceptability of government procurement.
• Impact on local business and economy.
• Trade internationalization.

Unit 4: Incoterms

• Meaning and usefulness of Incoterms.
• Latest edition of Incoterms.
• Definition of each Incoterm.
• Integration of Incoterms into general terms and conditions.
• Limitations and conveniences of Incoterms.

Unit 5: International Ethics

• Corruption risk management and preventive measures.
• Anti-corruption legislation in the European Union.
• U.S. legislation on foreign corrupt practices and anti-bribery.
• Standards and acceptance of business conduct.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).