World Trading Order Update – January 2022
Author Archives: Lawrence Herman
Government Advisories & their Global Trade Impact
This commentary in the Globe & Mail, 5 August 2021, deals with the increased significance of government advisories – not legally binding, but having an important effect in the world of internatioanal trade.
Sanctions in International Trade
This is my comment in the 27 September 2021 Globe & Mail (Toronto) about the growing use of unilateral trade & economic sanctions, a major feature of global commerce in the 21st centuty.
Canadian Trade Under Threat by Biden’s Tax Credit Plan
China & Private Global Regulation
Trends in Global Governance
This is an overview of the major global governance trends – treaties, governmentally-endorsed business practices and, especially, private sector standards and actions. The latter isn’t largely recognized but, even if not legally required, these voluntary practices and standards have an important impact on global trade.
Line 5 & the Canada-US Pipeline Treaty
This comment looks at the 1977 Pipeline Treaty, binding on the United States, designed especially to guaranty unimpeded pipeline transit. It was approved by the U.S. Senate (including by then Senator Biden) specifically to prevent any state or province from interfering with hydrocarbon shipments. This means the U.S. president has to take steps to ensure his country’s legal obligations are complied with, not breached by the unilateral actions of Michigan.
Reshoring Initiative Targets Behaviours, Not Laws
This is an opinion piece of mine in the Globe & Mail (Toronto), 20 April 2021, commenting on how private sector actions – such as guidelines, standards and certifications – can affect international business and trade. These are developments that don’t depend on, and are separate from, governmental actions like statutes or treaties.
Professional & Volunteer Activities
Here is a link to a summary of my positions and appointments to various organizations, committees and others over the last number of decades.
World Trade Organization-Comment on its Many Challenges
This is an opinion piece published in the Globe and Mail, 3 March 2021. It comments on two main institutional factors that will impact on the future of the WTO, noting these are among the many formidable challenges facing the new Director-General.