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What should the relationship be between the promotion of labor rights and the importation of foreign-origin merchandise? Specifically, should America allow into its customs territory imports made with forced labor? The conventional answer, evidenced by U.S. international trade law since 1930, has been a reasonably tight ban on such products. But allegations of genocide orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang underscored bipartisan concern that the Section 307 ban needed tightening. The legislative response--the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, enacted on December 23, 2021, and effective June 21, 2022--did that, and more, by creating a rebuttable presumption that any item manufactured in whole or in part in Xinjiang, or by a company connected thereto, the UFLPA revolutionized U.S. international trade law. Simply put, the UFLPA is a dramatic change evincing a newfound American commitment to root out labor rights degradations from cross-border supply chains., I. Labor Rights and International Supply Chains A revolution against forced labor imports is occurring in America's international trade law. (1) That revolution is the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act [...]

On September 13, 2023, the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). (1) Characterized by the White House as a 'binding [...]

Labour intends to enhance the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, according to shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves. Her comments mark a significant shift in the party’s approach, which has [...]

I. Introduction By the year 2050, the world population is anticipated to rise above 9.7 billion. (1) Consequently, the world will have to produce food, safe water, health care, careers, [...]

India and the EU are due to hold negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) in Delhi on February 19th-23rd. Talks resumed in mid-2022 after a seven-year hiatus. There are potential [...]

India and the EU are due to hold negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) in Delhi on February 19th-23rd. Talks resumed in mid-2022 after a seven-year hiatus. There are potential [...]

India and the EU are due to hold negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) in Delhi on February 19th-23rd. Talks resumed in mid-2022 after a seven-year hiatus. There are potential [...]

India and the EU are due to hold negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) in Delhi on February 19th-23rd. Talks resumed in mid-2022 after a seven-year hiatus. There are potential [...]

Last week, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) praised President Yoweri Museveni and other Ugandan leaders and told them to (https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2023/12/rep-tim-walberg-tells-uganda-to-stand-firm-on-kill-the-gays-law-ted-cruz-called-horrific/#google_vignette) 'stand firm' against pushback from the rest of the world, because [...]

Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine poses a serious threat to Ukraine's cultural heritage. With numerous reports that Russian soldiers are looting Ukraine's movable cultural heritage, legal action is required to prevent the successful sale and illegal trafficking of these stolen artifacts. This Note examines the relevant legal tools available to prevent this trade. First, the paper examines relevant international treaties, including the 1970 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention and 1954 Hague Convention, and the benefits and potential challenges of using export and import controls to address illicit trade of cultural property. Next, the Note examines the approach to preventing trade in stolen cultural property from Syria and Iraq. However, the Note ultimately finds that the U.N.based approach taken in those conflicts cannot be applied to Ukraine. While relevant actors have made numerous international commitments to protect cultural property, these commitments are largely non-binding and cannot be used to compel countries to enact domestic laws. Therefore, major nations must pursue unilateral import and export controls to prevent illicit trade in Ukrainian cultural goods. Finally, this Note addresses potential conflicts with World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations. Import and export controls violate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)'s Article XI prohibition on trade bans or quotas. Prior import and export bans on Syrian and Iraqi cultural property were enacted pursuant to a binding U.N. Security Council Resolution, which qualified these measures for the GATT's Article XXI(c) national security exception. Because binding U.N.-based action is not available to protect Ukrainian cultural property, this Note explores other GATT exceptions that could apply. Ultimately, the Note finds that the GATT's Article XX(f) exception for protecting national treasures provides the strongest legal basis for WTO parties to enact measures banning illicit trade in Ukrainian cultural property without violating their WTO obligations., I. INTRODUCTION 464 II. RELEVANT TREATIES & LEGAL MECHANISMS 466 A. International Law & International Treaties 466 B. Import & Export Controls 473 III. UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF IRAQ [...]

Kenon Holdings announces that an arbitration tribunal constituted by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes has delivered a final award in favor of Kenon and its wholly-owned subsidiary [...]

Byline: Maritime Gateway Experts discussed the inclusion of a zero-duty policy for textiles within the proposed FTA. A policy alignment in industry-related laws will help create a level playing field [...]

Anyone who wants to tackle corruption must be willing to go all the way. There are no shortcuts. --Oby Ezekwesili I. INTRODUCTION 735 II. BACKGROUND: UNCERTAINTY AND CORRUPTION IN INTERNATIONAL [...]