The rise of bilateralism: comparing European and American FTAs

Abstract

Bilateral trade and investment agreements are now a central feature of the international trading system alongside the multilateral order of the WTO. To date the debate on the rise of such preferential agreements has focused on its implications for multilateralism.  In recent years there has been more of a discussion on how to ensure compatibility between preferential agreements and multilateralism. But the debate has seldom got much past generalisations. Based on a book of by Woolcock and Heydon of the same title published by UN University Press, this session will ask whether these bilaterals build on established generally accepted principles, which can mean compatibility with multilateral efforts, or whether they set distinct standards that will make future multilateralisation more difficult?

Information about the Speaker

Dr Stephen Woolcock is a lecturer in international relations at the London School of Economics and Head of the LSE’s International Trade Policy Unit. He has written on regional and bilateral trade agreements, the WTO in general as well as European Union trade policy.