International Trade Law Center

International Trade Law Center

The ILI has established an International Trade Law Center to assist countries in participating effectively in the WTO and the markets it creates. The Center provides advice to national governments on establishing the legal and administrative structures necessary to comply with their obligations under the WTO agreements, as well as advice on issues relating to dispute resolution. An important component of the Center’s activities is in-depth training of individuals in government, in business, and in professional practice with respect to the WTO rules, procedures, and practices. Each course and consultation program -- especially those relating to compliance and law reform -- is built by reference to the specific legal institutions and level of legal development of the country for which the services are being provided, as well as the specific needs and challenges faced by that country in participating effectively in the rule-oriented trading system.

There are many potential sources of funding for this type of program, including the international financial institutions, agencies of the United Nations, and bilateral aid agencies, such as the US Agency for International Development. ILI has worked on a large number of projects supported by these organizations.

Complying with the International Rules on Trade and Investment

More than 130 governments have signed the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization, committing themselves to comply with a large body of complex rules and procedures that regulate the actions of national governments affecting international trade. These rules and procedures, which have been developed over the course of 50 years, include the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; separate agreements on topics such as agriculture, subsidies, dumping, textiles, services, intellectual property, and dispute settlement; and numerous decisions and declarations adopted by the GATT/WTO pursuant to these agreements. A continuing work program is under way in the WTO on important topics such as competition policy.

Every country expecting to gain the benefits of WTO membership will in turn be expected to comply with its obligations under the WTO agreements and to implement them effectively through changes in its domestic laws, institutions, and administrative practices. Each country will also want to take steps, when necessary, to insure compliance by other countries. Indeed, the success of the WTO system, with its benefits for all member countries, will depend on a high level of general compliance, achieved through widespread understanding of the rules and through harmoniously-shaped institutions which encourage routine compliance.

SUBJECTS ADDRESSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW CENTER