International Economic Law and Policy

1. Beggar-Thy-Neighbor vs. Protectionism as Frameworks for the Trading System

   In a recent piece, Dani Rodrik argues that current global trading rules interfere too much with domestic regulation and that "the world economy desperately needs a clear normative framework to determine the rules of the road." In this regard, he...

2. Jake Sullivan on the International Economic Agenda, Part 2

   In April 2023, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan gave a speech at Brookings on the Biden Administration's international economic agenda, and I had some comments in response. Yesterday, Sullivan returned to Brookings to, as the event page describes...

3. Do Foreign Digital Regulations "Discriminate" against U.S. Firms? The Case of Korea

   Just about everybody agrees that "non-discrimination" is a core principle of the trading system, but what exactly do we mean by it? What is the role of intent and effect? Governments who feel like their companies are being hurt by...

4. More (and More and More) Trump on Tariffs

   As I mentioned last week, Trump constantly talks about tariffs, but that hasn't led to voters thinking of tariffs and trade as a top policy issue. After I did my post, Trump gave an interview in which he talked about...

5. Is Trade Policy on the Ballot in the U.S. Presidential Election?

   A recent AP piece on U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai's trade policies is entitled: "Top US trade official sees progress in helping workers. Voters will decide if her approach continues." It then leads off with this: As the U.S. trade...