An Introduction to Core Principles of International Trade Law

Abstract

Abstract This chapter sets out the core principles of international trade law, covering the typical range of obligations and exceptions that apply to international trade in goods and services, under both the WTO covered agreements and FTAs. The first two topics cover the “bedrock” principles of international trade law: market access (covering tariff barriers, quantitative restrictions, non-tariff barriers, and some services-specific market access considerations); and non-discrimination (as between domestic and imported goods; and between imported goods from different sources). The third topic covers various ‘good governance’ obligations, which require transparency and proper administration by national authorities, with respect to their trade-related measures. The penultimate topic covers obligations that balance competing trade interests of different WTO Members, including permitted grounds for preferential trade treatment of imports, the grant of subsidies, and the imposition of trade remedies on imports. Finally, we consider the rules that look to balance competing trade and non-trade interests, including the general and security exceptions in the GATT 1994, and the SPS and TBT Agreements.