Introduction
International trade is a complicated area of law to research because there are numerous levels of trade organizations and interactions. There are bilateral trade agreements, regional trade agreements and multinational trade agreements. Each of these agreements has its own history, policies and dispute settlement procedures. Trade organizations established under the agreements have separate resources that can be searched. Furthermore, individual countries have their own policies and laws relating to international trade. As an example, the United States Congress must pass legislation enacting international trade agreements before the United States can officially become a party. The national policies have to be researched individually and frequently separately from the resources relating to the international organizations.
The purpose of this guide is to provide an introduction to a variety of the resources available on campus, as well as from the Internet. General introductory resources will be discussed first. Then the guide will proceed through a discussion of the major multilateral trade agreements, regional trade agreements and United Nations trade bodies.
For additional assistance in finding International Trade Law materials at Columbia's Diamond Law Library, please do not hesitate to contact the reference librarians at referencedesk@law.columbia.edu. Consult the the Guide to Columbia Library Services and Policies Research Guide for general information and reference hours.
Introductory Resources on International Trade
To see more background and reference works available at Diamond Law Library, including older editions, please try these searches on Pegasus:
- Subject: international trade law
- Subject: international trade law AND Any Field: handbook
- Subject: international trade law AND Any Field: manual
- Subject: international trade
- Subject: international trade AND Any Field: handbook
- Subject: international trade AND Any Field: manual
You can find a selected list of publications below.
International Trade Law, Including Beyond Trump, in a Nutshell by Call Number: K3943 .F64 2021Publication Date: 2021This Nutshell examines the economics and rules governing international trade, with special emphasis on global and U.S. trade agreements in the disruptive Trump tariff war era. After introductory chapters on trade transactions and cross-border enterprises, it analyzes the World Trade Organization (WTO) package of agreements, Trump blockage of WTO dispute settlement, regulation of imports (including customs law), and trade remedy responses to import competition. Export controls, foreign corrupt practices, preferential free trade and customs union agreements, technology transfers and a chapter on Beyond Trump and Trade follow. Trade policy alternatives are discussed and highlighted as Biden Impacts throughout this Nutshell.
Advanced Introduction to International Trade Law by Call Number: K3943 .T74 2015Publication Date: 2015A second and fully updated edition of the book previously entitled Understanding Trade Law, this book presents an accessible yet nuanced introduction to the basic structure and principles of international trade law. It explores the development of the international trade law regime, principally GATT and WTO law, and through clear and concise discussion of the many developments that have arisen, gives a streamlined overview of this notoriously complex area of legal study. Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Michael Trebilcock provides a broad and deep narrative of the fundamental components of international trade law through succinct chapters, situating each topic in the context of broader domestic and international political economy considerations. The topics covered include: the emergence of the multilateral trading system (WTO); dispute settlement; tariffs; preferential trade agreements; the principle of non-discrimination; contingent protection laws; agriculture; services; investment; intellectual property; health; safety; environmental and labour standards regulation; and the role of developing countries in the trading system. Discussion is rooted by useful reference points to basic sources throughout. Written with the insight of 25 years' experience in the study of international trade law, this unique book makes a valuable addition to the literature and will be an indispensable reference point. It will be essential reading for students in law and a vital resource for those in economics, political science and international relations. Non-specialist scholars and policy advisors will benefit from the book's comprehensive and discerning exploration of the principles of international trade law.
