Trade rules are complex, subject to differing interpretations and often are contentious. Most global trade is governed by World Trade Organization (WTO) framework agreements which regulate trade between WTO members on the “most favored nation” principle and also set the ground rules that apply to “WTO-plus” bilateral and regional free-trade agreements (FTAs). Below these agreements sit a vast array of national (and sometimes regional) rules and regulations, including tariff and service concession schedules, customs laws and import/export rules. Understanding and complying with these rules can be challenging for businesses, but is vital for the success of import and export activities, providing services across borders and protecting investments in new markets.

With offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, our lawyers draw upon vast experience advising on the full spectrum of WTO rules and processes underpinning the international trading system, including trade treaty negotiation and trade disputes. Our lawyers have extensive experience in trade law, trade treaties interpretation, trade treaties negotiations and trade dispute resolution mechanisms. Members of our team have served at the very highest levels in government and in diplomatic careers, leading on the negotiation of flagship international trade accords and important bilateral FTAs.

In North America and in anticipation of a robust Canada-US trade agenda coming out of the Trump administration’s priorities, we have further established a Cross-Border Trade Law Task Force, comprised of lawyers from both countries. This task force will help us streamline the process by which we provide advice to our clients on current and announced trade law changes which might impact goods imported into and/or exported from Canada and the US.

These include all international trade measures adopted in either country which may impact our clients’ supply chains and business models, including:

• Increased customs tariffs in Canada and the US 
• Imposition of new antidumping and countervailing duties 
• Changes to rules of origin of goods 
• New sanctions export controls and new export taxes 
• Enhanced forced labor  enforcement at the border 
• Other trade-related administrative measures adopted at the US-Canadian border.