This module explores the law and policy regulating the conduct of international trade. The main focus is on the global trade system established with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
We discuss how the WTO came into being in 1995 following the regime introduced by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) signed in 1947. We discuss the key principles of the global trade regime as well as the institutional foundations, structure and functioning of the WTO. We pay particular attention to several specific issues which exhibit important complexities and controversies. We examine to what extent the WTO system is conducive to the needs of developing countries. We discuss also the extent to which global trade rules are able to help address the environmental challenges faced by the modern world.
The module explores the crisis points and prospects for reform of the WTO. It also pays attention to the proliferation of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) and discusses the extent to which they can be viewed as stumbling or building blocks of the global system. While our focus is on the law of the WTO as enshrined in international agreements and case law, where appropriate we will also take into account wider issues of political economy and international relations.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of main principles underlying the main agreements of the WTO.
Demonstrate understanding of the policies, considerations and values underlying the law of the WTO
Engage in the analysis of cases decided under the auspices of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.
Apply the above knowledge to legal problems and suggest appropriate solutions.
Make personal and reasoned judgements about the material covered in the module
