Some thoughts of mine in a commentary published by the Financial Post on May 19, 2020, suggesting a new post-pandemic agenda for the WTO, giving it a new item to tackle and helping to get it out of its current political torpor, made more difficult by the Trump administration’s attacks on the Organization. https://bit.ly/2Zlhg9h
Here is a short discussion paper I prepared for the World Refugee Council on how WTO trade rules could be harnessed to alleviate some of the burdens on refugee host countries. This paper doesnt deal with complex issues of integration – rather, it looks at how short or medium term trade and tariff measures can at… Read More »
The huge multinational tobacco conglomerate, Philip Morris (PM), was bounced out of court on 14 July 2016, in a highly controversial investment claim against tiny Uruguay, a country with a population of 4.5 million and GDP a fraction of the US$80 billion annual revenues of the US-based tobacco giant (Philip Morris v, Uruguay, Award: http://www.italaw.com/cases/460) Although… Read More »
In the 1970s, as a young diplomat, I was a member of the Canadian delegation to the UN Law of the Sea Conference. Later in private law practice, I was on the Canadian legal team in the Gulf of Maine Case before the International Court of Justice. I have advised governments and international organizations on… Read More »
Lawrence Herman appeared before the House of Commons Trade Committee, at their request, on 5 May 2016, to present testimony on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). The following are notes from Mr. Herman tabled with the Committee. Lawrence L. Herman Notes for Presentation, 5 May 2016 Introduction The following are general comments on the TPPA… Read More »
The collapse of the Doha Round a couple of years ago left the World Trade Organization with an unfortunate legacy, a wounded reputation as a negotiating forum as 10 years of effort essentially went up in smoke. Funeral rites for the Doha Round are now accepted by all save the most steadfast of believers. This… Read More »
A note – many years ago I was head of the Treaty Law Section in the old Department of External Affairs. What follows deals with the kinds of issues I covered on a daily basis, coming back into prominence so many years later. Signing the Agreement – What Does That Do? There’s been a fair… Read More »
I was quoted in a Globe and Mail article by Shawn McCarthy, 24 March 2015, reporting on Canada’s loss in a NAFTA arbitration over a quarry and marine terminal that the Province of Nova Scotia refused to approve: There is a growing concern in legal circles that the arbitration panels are expanding their mandate –… Read More »