CPO214 | Law, Policy And Practice Of International Trade

This course provides students with an understanding of the law, policy and practice of International trade. The course introduces the history of the international trading system from the Bretton Woods Conference to General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1945 up to the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Thereafter, the course provides the theoretical framework for international trade prior to delving into the detailed disciplines under WTO law.

The course offers an in-depth, practical knowledge of substantive WTO law, drawing heavily on the case law of WTO panels and the Appellate Body. It explores key principles governing trade in goods and services, along with specialized WTO agreements on topics such as health regulations, agriculture, subsidies, anti-dumping measures, and intellectual property rights. Additionally, students will gain insight into the unique WTO dispute settlement mechanism and its procedures.

The course will examine recent WTO disputes and address current issues, including subsidies for renewable energy, technical standards, and the relationship between the WTO and free trade agreements (FTAs). It will also explore recent challenges to economic integration, such as the trade protectionist policies of populist governments and the current crisis of multilateralism being faced by the WTO.

Furthermore, the course will also examine the development of disciplines related to trade such as environment, labour, digital trade and gender not just at the WTO but also some of the disciplines and disputes under FTAs of certain countries.