Various historical and semi-historical trade developments have emerged in a geopolitical context recently. They include among other, US oil export ban, new ITA tariff reductions, the Paris Climate Agreement, Cuban-US compensation discussions, global tax and global corruption. Here are some specifics ………….

Lifting oil export ban makes for more global trade, less efficiencies and fewer subsidies. “Lifting the U.S. Oil Export Ban.” Financial Times (December 18, 2015).

Biggest IT tariff reductions in twenty years. “Information Technology Agreement.” WTO News (December 16, 2015).

US airlines have antitrust exemptions & huge mergers. Resulting in poor service. Gulf competition is most welcomed. “Mideast Rivals.” New York Times (December 14, 2015). 

Executive agreement as means for Paris Climate Agreement makes sense since have no domestic law consequences. Malawer, “Paris Climate Agreement — Treaty or Executive Agreement.” LinkedIn Blog (Malawer) (12.15.15).

Good analogy between the Paris Climate Agreement reached in Paris yesterday and the GATT agreement reached over 60 years ago. The former did for international trade what many hope the agreement reached in Paris will do for international climate. “Obama and Paris Climate Agreement.” Washington Post (December 12, 2015).

U.S. files a new case against China for VAT discrimination concerning aircraft in China. “US Files New Case.” WTO News (December 9, 2015).

New article in the New York Law Journal. It discusses two different means of litigating issues against member states by other member states and by foreign investors (multinational corporations) in the proposed TPP provisions for dispute settlement. Malawer, “TPPP and WTO Dispute Resolution.” New York Law Journal (December 8, 2015).

Compensation to Cuba for US sanctions as offset for Cuban nationalizations. “Cuban Compensation for Prior Nationalizations.” “Cuban Compensation.” Washington Post (December 8, 2015).

Global tax is a driver for international business operations and transactions. Malawer, “Global Tax as Driver for Global. Commerce.” LinkedIn Blog (Malawer) (November 25, 2015).

This discusses U.S. foreign corruption and money transfer laws, domestic money laundering, and state ‘commercial corruption’ laws. “Foreign Corruption and FIFA.” (Oct. 23, 2015).