Category Archives: International Law
A Comment on the WTO’s Future – C.D. Howe Institute
The World Trade Organization is facing serious challenges. Its negotiating functions are paralyzed by disagreements among member governments. The dispute settlement process is dysfunctional as well. Institutional reform of the Organization is long overdue. Given these problems, what is the realistic future of the WTO? Here are some practical suggestions. The WTO & Some Future… Read More »
Putin May Never Face Justice for War Crimes
This is an op-ed piece in the Globe and Mail (Toronto) commenting on Russian war crimes, explaining the application of the 1946 Nuremberg Principles to the horrendous actions of Mr. Putin and his acolytes. The caveat is that chances are nil that these individuals will ever face justice (in person) for their crimes.
Sanctions – Embedded in the Structure of Global Trade
The Ukraine war has resulted in a huge array of Western sanctions, extraordinarily coordinated, that will be a lasting element in the global trading order. This opinion piece in the Globe in May 2022 explains their impact and the political difficulties of winding these down, even if and when this war ends. Russian Sanctions Will… Read More »
WTO Faces New Challenges in Today’s World
The WTO is facing internal stresses (governance and others) and serious external challenges (the disatrous Russian invasion of Ukraine). The question addressed in this op-ed piece in the Globe & Mail, 4 April 2022, is whether the Organisation can overcome these and move forward. WTO’s Waning Influence – Globe 4 Apr 2022
Challenges Facing the World Trading Order
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. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-reshoring-initiative-targets-behaviours-not-laws/
Bibliography – Publications, Articles, Papers (1978-2021)
Cultural Property – Controlling Illicit Trade
This article was done by me and Alexander Herman, Institute of Art and Law, London, U.K., in commemoration of the 50th anniversary, in November 2020, of the groundbreaking UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export & Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. UNESCO Convention at 50
No Peace in the Trade Valley
Peace in the Trade Valley-FP Comment 13 Aug 2020 This is a comment in the Financial Post, 13 August 2020, explaining how privately-driven trade disputes (like dumping and subsidy complaints) will continue even if Washington and Beijing conclude some kind of trade armistice. The WTO Agreement plus countless investment treaties worldwide allow private parties to… Read More »