Applicability of WTO Law in Regional Trade Agreements: Identifying the Links

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2006

Abstract

This chapter examines the interface between World Trade Organization (WTO) law and the large number of dispute settlement panels that can potentially exist under regional trade agreements (RTA). It argues that the interpretation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other RTA should subject to the principles of Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). It explains that NAFTA and RTA panels are likely to seek guidance from WTO case law as a matter of practice in situations where the NAFTA or RTA directly incorporates WTO provisions.

Keywords

WTO, dispute settlement, regional trade agreements, NAFTA, case law, Vienna Convention

Discipline

International Law | International Trade Law

Research Areas

Public International Law, Regional and Trade Law

Publication

Regional Trade Agreements and the WTO Legal System

First Page

525

Last Page

552

ISBN

9780199206995

Identifier

10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199206995.003.0022

Publisher

Oxford University Press

City or Country

Oxford

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199206995.003.0022

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