Introduction:
International business is increasingly conducted under the influence of a growing body of international trade law. These set the framework for international trade and competition in trade to remove unnecessary barriers.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been at the forefront of establishing global trading practices. Still, other multilateral and bilateral agreements need to be considered. This WTO international trade law course introduces this legal framework for the non-specialist.
Role of WTO in International Trade:
The importance of the WTO in international trade cannot be overstated. It is pivotal in facilitating trade between nations by providing a legal framework and a forum for negotiation and dispute resolution.
This WTO international trade law course will delve into the impact of WTO on international trade, what WTO law is, and its importance in establishing transparent, fair, and predictable trading practices.
Targeted Groups:
- International trade professionals.
- Legal professionals.
- Contracts managers.
- Contracts administrators.
- Procurement professionals.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this WTO international trade law course, the participants will be able to:
- Cover the aims and intentions of international agreements under The World Trade Organisation WTO.
- Know the practical implications for businesses trading internationally.
- Review of applicable legislation.
- Recognize the current bilateral and multinational agreements.
- Understand the WTO legal system.
- Review WTO Obligations and Commitments.
- Study the WTO dispute settlement, monitoring, and enforcement system.
- Have an awareness of the basis of international trade law.
- Understand the principles of economic trade and development.
- Learn key learning points for application in their organization.
Targeted Competencies:
At the end of this WTO international trade law course, the target competencies will be able to improve the following:
- Ethical behavior.
- International trade regulations.
- International trade practices.
- Government procurement and contracts.
Course Content:
Unit 1: Setting The Scene:
- Overview and history of the World Trade Organisation.
- Organization for economic cooperation and development.
- Principles underlying world trade agreements.
- Assumptions about economic trade and development.
- Economic principles of trade.
- Areas not covered by WTO.
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - GATT.
- The Doha Round of negotiations – progress and stumbling blocks.
- Legal remedies and processes.
Unit 2: Practical Application of WTO Practices:
- WTO obligations and commitments.
- Trade Defence instruments, including Anti-dumping legislation.
- Tariffs and Barriers.
- Non-tariff barriers.
- Subsidies.
- Innovation.
- Intellectual property.
- Research and development.
Unit 3: Government Procurement under WTO:
- Aims and intentions of government procurement legislation.
- European legislation.
- US legislation.
- Exclusions and exemptions.
- Acceptable government procurement practices.
- Development of local businesses and economies.
- International trade development.
Unit 4: Incoterms:
- Purpose and applicability of incoterms.
- New revision in terms.
- Definition of each term.
- Incorporation into terms and conditions.
- Pitfalls and practicalities of Incoterms.
Unit 5: International Ethics:
- Best practices in avoiding corruption.
- The corrupt practices act in the EU.
- Foreign corrupt practices act in the USA.
- Standards in ethical behavior.
- Corporate social responsibility.
