This course provides an in-depth
treatment of international trade law by examining
its frequent clash with environmental goals and
law. International trade law, as embodied in the
World Trade Organization, GATT, and the
US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, establishes
rules to reduce barriers to trade in goods,
services, and investments. It does so by
prohibiting countries from discriminating against
foreign products based on the way they are
produced (e.g., unsustainable fishing practices or
without pollution control technology), limiting
the use of quotas and subsidies to meet national
goals, requiring substantial scientific evidence
to justify restrictions on pesticide levels on
food to protect human health, and restricting the
authority of national and sub-national governments
to favor local investors over foreign investors.
Despite these rules, countries often use trade
measures to restrict imports of environmentally
harmful products or products produced in
unsustainable ways. They also subsidize
environmentally preferable products. such as solar
panels. By examining trade law and its trade
liberalizing rules in light of environmental
protection, students will explore areas of
convergence and conflict between two legal regimes
intended to promote human welfare and sustainable
development. The course analyzes all the major
trade-environment disputes, including
Shrimp/Turtle, Tuna/Dolphin, the European ban on
meat products containing growth hormones, disputes
over genetically modified foods, solar panels, and
carbon taxes. No prior familiarity with either
trade law or environmental law is necessary.
treatment of international trade law by examining
its frequent clash with environmental goals and
law. International trade law, as embodied in the
World Trade Organization, GATT, and the
US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, establishes
rules to reduce barriers to trade in goods,
services, and investments. It does so by
prohibiting countries from discriminating against
foreign products based on the way they are
produced (e.g., unsustainable fishing practices or
without pollution control technology), limiting
the use of quotas and subsidies to meet national
goals, requiring substantial scientific evidence
to justify restrictions on pesticide levels on
food to protect human health, and restricting the
authority of national and sub-national governments
to favor local investors over foreign investors.
Despite these rules, countries often use trade
measures to restrict imports of environmentally
harmful products or products produced in
unsustainable ways. They also subsidize
environmentally preferable products. such as solar
panels. By examining trade law and its trade
liberalizing rules in light of environmental
protection, students will explore areas of
convergence and conflict between two legal regimes
intended to promote human welfare and sustainable
development. The course analyzes all the major
trade-environment disputes, including
Shrimp/Turtle, Tuna/Dolphin, the European ban on
meat products containing growth hormones, disputes
over genetically modified foods, solar panels, and
carbon taxes. No prior familiarity with either
trade law or environmental law is necessary.
- Teacher: Chris Wold