International Trade Law

Joost Pauwelyn

E035 | Autumn | 6ECTS
 

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) attracts a lot of attention and criticism. Why do economists say that liberalising trade flows is a good thing? How can this liberalisation go hand in hand with other public policy choices such as protecting the environment and human rights or promoting the economic development of poor countries? In this course, we will examine why the WTO is there and how it developed from the GATT to what it is now. The course will offer an in-depth, practical knowledge of substantive WTO law drawing heavily on case law. It will address the basic principles of trade in goods and trade in services as well as some of the more specialised WTO agreements. From a more procedural side, the course will pay close attention to the unique WTO mechanism for the solution of trade disputes, with special reference again to recent and ongoing cases. Some background knowledge of international law is a prerequisite.