International Trade Law : Research Guide

Introduction, introductory resources on international trade.

  • Introduction to GATT and WTO
  • Founding Documents
  • GATT Resources
  • Uruguay Round Resources
  • WTO Resources
  • GATT/WTO Electronic Resources
  • Introductory Resources
  • Legal Texts
  • Dispute Resolution Decisions
  • United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
  • North American Free Trade Agreement
  • Mercado Común del Cono Sur
  • Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa
  • Association of Southeast Asian Nations
  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
  • United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
  • Research Guides

Authorship History

Written by Karin Johnsrud. Updated by Dana Neacșu.

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 [email protected] . Consult the the Guide to Columbia Library Services and Policies Research Guide for general information and reference hours.

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.

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  • Last Updated: Sep 9, 2022 5:08 PM
  • URL: https://guides.law.columbia.edu/tradelaw

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80 International Trade Law Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInFor students embarking on the exhilarating journey of academic research, the realm of International Trade Law unfolds as a captivating and multifaceted domain brimming with boundless possibilities. As you contemplate your thesis or dissertation, the crucial first step is, undoubtedly, selecting from the myriad research topics that the field of International Trade Law offers. Whether […]

International Trade Law Topics

For students embarking on the exhilarating journey of academic research, the realm of International Trade Law unfolds as a captivating and multifaceted domain brimming with boundless possibilities. As you contemplate your thesis or dissertation, the crucial first step is, undoubtedly, selecting from the myriad research topics that the field of International Trade Law offers. Whether you are an undergraduate, a master’s candidate, or a doctoral scholar, the quest for the perfect research topic can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. But fear not, for in this comprehensive guide, we will explore diverse research topics that cater to students at every level of their academic journey. So, let’s embark on this voyage of discovery together, delving deep into the intricate world of International Trade Law research topics to ignite your academic passions and set your scholarly pursuits ablaze.

International Trade Law, often called “World Trade Law” or “Global Trade Law,” is the branch of legal studies that governs the rules, regulations, and agreements that shape the international exchange of goods and services among nations. This multifaceted discipline encompasses various legal principles, treaties, and institutions designed to facilitate, regulate, and resolve disputes in the complex web of international trade relationships.

A List Of Potential Research Topics In International Trade Law:

  • Trade disputes in the pharmaceutical sector: trips agreement and access to medicines.
  • A critical review of the legal aspects of trade in counterfeit and pirated goods.
  • Examining the compliance mechanisms of trade agreements in the digital age.
  • Exploring the implications of digital trade on traditional trade law frameworks.
  • Evaluating the compliance and enforcement mechanisms of regional trade agreements.
  • Investigating the challenges of trade facilitation in landlocked developing countries.
  • The UK’s approach to digital trade regulation: lessons from post-Brexit trade deals.
  • The role of state-owned enterprises in international trade: regulatory approaches.
  • A comprehensive review of trade dispute settlement mechanisms: achievements and challenges.
  • Trade and sustainable development: a critical review of progress and pitfalls.
  • Trade in cultural heritage: protecting and preserving cultural property in international commerce.
  • The role of the UK in reimagining global trade governance outside the EU.
  • A comparative review of trade remedy measures across different jurisdictions.
  • Trade and humanitarian relief: legal frameworks for emergency aid.
  • Environmental standards in UK trade agreements: a case study analysis.
  • The nexus between trade and human rights: a critical literature review.
  • The impact of trade agreements on indigenous rights and traditional knowledge protection.
  • The evolution of investor-state dispute settlement: a historical review.
  • International Trade Law and Family Law : “Cross-Border Child Custody Disputes in International Trade Contexts.
  • The role of competition law in international trade agreements.
  • The UK’s Role in international trade Agreements post-Brexit challenges and opportunities.
  • Investigating the trade implications of climate change adaptation and mitigation policies.
  • The role of trade in intellectual property rights: a critical review of trips agreement implementation.
  • Investigating the legal challenges of trade in genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
  • Trade facilitation measures and their impact on developing countries’ exports.
  • The role of bilateral investment treaties (bits) in promoting foreign direct investment (FDI).
  • The role of UK trade promotion agencies in facilitating export growth.
  • Evaluating the legal framework for UK-India trade relations.
  • A comparative review of regional economic integration models and their effects on trade.
  • The role of competition law in international trade: a global review of approaches.
  • Revisiting the notion of most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment in modern trade agreements.
  • Assessing the role of WTO dispute settlement mechanisms in resolving trade conflicts.
  • The role of non-tariff measures in shaping international trade relations.
  • Trade and gender equality: assessing the impact of trade policies on women’s empowerment.
  • Unpacking the impact of trade barriers on agricultural exports from developing countries.
  • Analyzing the interplay between trade and labour standards in global supply chains.
  • Trade in pharmaceuticals: balancing access to medicines and patent protection.
  • Analyzing the legal framework for trade in endangered species.
  • The legal implications of trade-related cybersecurity threats.
  • Evaluating the influence of intellectual property rights on international trade relations.
  • The impact of trade preferences on developing countries: a longitudinal review.
  • The legal framework for trade in services: a comparative study of two and regional agreements.
  • A review of trade facilitation measures and their impact on global trade efficiency.
  • Post-covid-19 environmental considerations in international trade law.
  • Investigating the legal challenges of trade in services under gats.
  • The legal aspects of trade in counterfeit and pirated goods.
  • Assessing the resilience of global supply chains in a post-covid-19 world.
  • Investigating the role of trade in the global response to public health crises.
  • Brexit and its impact on UK-EU trade relations: a comprehensive legal analysis.
  • The post-covid-19 landscape of international trade: a comprehensive review.
  • The role of trade in sustainable development goals (SDGs) achievement.
  • International Trade Law and Health Law : “Impact of Trade Agreements on Access to Essential Medicines.
  • Trade digitalization and post-pandemic recovery: legal challenges and solutions.
  • Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on trade remedies and protectionist measures.
  • A review of state-owned enterprises in international trade: recent developments and regulatory challenges.
  • The impact of regional economic integration on trade relations: a comparative analysis.
  • The nexus between environmental protection and international trade: a legal perspective.
  • Analyzing the legal aspects of vaccine distribution in international trade law.
  • A review of trade policy uncertainty and its economic impacts.
  • The impact of trade policy uncertainty on global trade flows.
  • Examining the legal framework for cross-border e-commerce transactions in international trade.
  • The implications of Brexit on UK-EU trade relations: a post-transition period analysis.
  • Trade in cultural goods and services: preserving cultural diversity in international trade.
  • Trade and gender equality: a comprehensive review of the gender dimension in trade agreements.
  • Analyzing the legal aspects of trade in artificial intelligence and data.
  • The impact of Northern Ireland protocol on intra-uk trade: legal challenges.
  • Assessing the role of trade finance in facilitating global trade.
  • Analyzing the use of trade remedy measures in response to currency manipulation.
  • The role of e-commerce in shaping the future of international trade law.
  • Trade in the digital age: a review of legal frameworks and gaps.
  • Analyzing the impact of trade agreements on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.
  • Reviewing the legal framework for service trade: focusing on mode 4 (movement of natural persons).
  • The role of telemedicine in international trade: regulatory implications after COVID-19.
  • Evaluating the effect of travel restrictions on international trade and tourism.
  • The role of trade preferences in promoting economic development in least developed countries.
  • Analyzing the impact of trade agreements on income inequality.
  • The future of trade agreements in a post-pandemic era: lessons from COVID-19.
  • The role of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in international trade and investment agreements.
  • Investigating trade remedies in the age of protectionism: a comparative study.
  • Trade in cryptocurrencies: regulatory challenges and opportunities.

In the ever-evolving landscape of International Trade Law, the choices for research topics are as diverse as the global marketplace itself. Whether you’re an undergraduate seeking to delve into the basics, a master’s student exploring the intricacies of trade agreements, or a doctoral candidate pushing the boundaries of trade dispute resolution, the world of research topics is rich and vast. As you embark on your academic journey, remember that the key to a successful thesis or dissertation lies in the depth of your research and the passion and curiosity you bring to your chosen topic. So, choose wisely, and let your research journey in International Trade Law be a testament to your dedication to understanding and shaping the future of global commerce.

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International Law Research Paper Topics

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This page presents a comprehensive collection of international law research paper topics , curated to aid students studying law in their research endeavors. International law is a multifaceted field with diverse areas of study, and this page aims to provide students with an extensive list of topics that can serve as a foundation for their research papers. By exploring these topics, students can delve into various aspects of international law, such as human rights, criminal law, environmental law, trade law, and humanitarian law, among others. This page also offers insights into how to choose compelling international law research paper topics, tips on writing a coherent and impactful paper, and highlights the custom international law research paper writing services provided by iResearchNet. The ultimate goal is to empower students to embark on an enriching and successful academic journey in the realm of international law research.

100 International Law Research Paper Topics

International law encompasses a vast array of subjects, reflecting the intricate and interconnected nature of global affairs. As students of law, exploring these topics can open new horizons and deepen their understanding of how international legal frameworks shape our world. This comprehensive list presents 10 categories, each comprising 10 diverse and thought-provoking international law research paper topics. Whether you are interested in human rights, environmental protection, trade regulations, or armed conflicts, these topics offer a wealth of opportunities for academic exploration and intellectual growth.

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  • The Universality of Human Rights: A Global Perspective
  • Human Rights and Armed Conflicts: Challenges and Protections
  • Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in International Law
  • The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Promoting Human Rights
  • Freedom of Speech and Expression in the Digital Age
  • Human Rights Violations and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
  • Children’s Rights and Child Protection Laws Internationally
  • The Right to Asylum: Refugee Protection and International Law
  • Combating Human Trafficking: International Legal Frameworks
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Cultural Heritage Preservation
  • Climate Change and Global Efforts for Environmental Protection
  • Biodiversity Conservation and the Convention on Biological Diversity
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental Justice
  • Transboundary Pollution and International Liability
  • The Role of International Courts and Tribunals in Environmental Disputes
  • The Precautionary Principle in International Environmental Law
  • Oceans Governance and the Protection of Marine Resources
  • International Agreements on Wildlife Conservation and Endangered Species
  • Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Rights: Perspectives and Challenges
  • The Economics of Environmental Protection: Balancing Trade and Conservation
  • World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Multilateral Trading System
  • Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Regional Economic Integration
  • Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Mechanisms in Trade Agreements
  • Intellectual Property Rights and International Trade
  • Trade and Labor Standards: Addressing Social Issues in Global Commerce
  • Environmental Protection in International Trade: Conflicts and Synergies
  • Trade Remedies: Anti-dumping, Countervailing, and Safeguard Measures
  • Trade Liberalization and Economic Development: Case Studies
  • Cross-Border E-Commerce and Digital Trade Regulations
  • Challenges of Trade in Services: Legal and Regulatory Perspectives
  • The International Criminal Court (ICC) and Its Role in Ending Impunity
  • Prosecuting War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity: Legal Challenges
  • Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Prosecute
  • The Evolution of International Criminal Law: From Nuremberg to the ICC
  • The Principle of Universal Jurisdiction: Holding Perpetrators Accountable
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in Post-Conflict Societies
  • The Role of the United Nations in Combating International Crimes
  • War Criminals and Refugees: The Intersection of Criminal and Migration Law
  • Cyberwarfare and the Application of International Criminal Law
  • Combating Terrorism: Legal Approaches and Human Rights Concerns
  • The Geneva Conventions and the Protection of War Victims
  • Targeted Killings and Drones: The Legal Challenges of Modern Warfare
  • The Principle of Proportionality in Armed Conflicts
  • War Crimes and Accountability in Non-International Armed Conflicts
  • The Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflicts
  • Autonomous Weapons and the Ethics of Lethal Autonomous Systems (LAS)
  • The Role of National Courts in Prosecuting War Crimes
  • The Humanitarian Impact of Economic Sanctions and Trade Embargoes
  • Children in Armed Conflicts: From Recruitment to Rehabilitation
  • Humanitarian Assistance and the Challenges of Providing Aid in Conflict Zones
  • Comparative Constitutional Law: Analyzing Different Legal Systems and Their Impact on Global Governance
  • The Role of International Law in Shaping Domestic Constitutions
  • Constitutional Design and State Building in Post-Conflict Societies
  • Human Rights and Constitutional Protections: Assessing the Impact of International Treaties
  • Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law: Ensuring Effective Governance in International Relations
  • Judicial Independence and the Enforcement of Constitutional Rights in International Contexts
  • The Impact of International Institutions on National Constitutions
  • The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age: Balancing National Security and Civil Liberties
  • Federalism and the Division of Powers in Constitutional Design
  • The Role of Constitutional Courts in Protecting Democratic Principles
  • Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions: Legal and Regulatory Challenges
  • International Commercial Arbitration: Enforcement and Recognition of Awards
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Multinational Corporations
  • Foreign Investment Protection and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)
  • International Contract Law and Choice of Law Clauses
  • Dispute Resolution in International Trade: Litigation vs. Arbitration
  • Intellectual Property Rights and International Business Transactions
  • International Trade Law and the World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Corporate Governance and Compliance in International Business
  • Environmental and Social Responsibility in International Business
  • Double Taxation Treaties: Legal Implications and Challenges
  • Transfer Pricing and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)
  • Tax Havens and Their Impact on Global Taxation
  • Taxation of Digital Economy and E-commerce Transactions
  • Taxation of Multinational Corporations: Fairness and Equity Concerns
  • Tax Avoidance vs. Tax Evasion: Legal Distinctions and Consequences
  • Taxation of Foreign Source Income and Territorial vs. Worldwide Tax Systems
  • Developing Countries and International Taxation: Bridging the Gap
  • The Role of International Organizations in Shaping Global Tax Policies
  • Addressing Tax Challenges Arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Its Implementation
  • Maritime Boundaries and Dispute Resolution in the South China Sea
  • Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and Marine Resource Management
  • Freedom of Navigation and Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean
  • Environmental Protection in the High Seas: Addressing Pollution and Overfishing
  • Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea: Legal Responses and Jurisdictional Challenges
  • Submarine Cables and Cybersecurity in International Waters
  • The Role of International Tribunals in Resolving Maritime Disputes
  • Deep Sea Mining and the Regulation of Exploitation of Marine Resources
  • Indigenous Rights and Traditional Knowledge in Marine Conservation
  • Diplomatic Negotiations and Conflict Resolution in International Relations
  • The Role of Mediation in Resolving International Disputes
  • International Arbitration: Institutional Frameworks and Best Practices
  • The Use of Force and Armed Conflict: Legal Perspectives on Peacekeeping
  • Compliance with International Court Judgments and Decisions
  • The Settlement of Territorial Disputes: Case Studies and Legal Approaches
  • The Role of Non-State Actors in International Conflict Resolution
  • The Legality of Targeted Sanctions and Economic Coercion
  • The Use of International Courts and Tribunals in Human Rights Disputes
  • The Role of Regional Organizations in Conflict Mediation and Resolution

In conclusion, the field of international law offers a vast array of research topics that delve into critical global issues, ranging from human rights and environmental protection to trade and business regulations. Scholars and students of law can explore the complexities of international relations, the challenges of cross-border disputes, and the ever-evolving legal frameworks that shape the international community. The comprehensive list of international law research paper topics provided above serves as a starting point for students to delve deeper into their areas of interest and contribute to the understanding and development of international law. Through diligent research and critical analysis, they can further advance the principles of justice, equality, and cooperation on the global stage.

Exploring the Range of International Law Research Paper Topics

International law is a complex and dynamic field that governs the interactions between nations and other actors in the global community. As a crucial component of the global legal system, international law encompasses a diverse range of topics that have significant implications for peace, security, human rights, trade, and cooperation among nations. Researching international law research paper topics offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of international relations, diplomatic relations, and the role of international organizations in promoting peace and stability.

  • The Sources of International Law : This topic explores the various sources of international law, including treaties, customary international law, general principles of law, and decisions of international courts and tribunals. Students can investigate the hierarchy of these sources and their application in resolving disputes between states.
  • International Human Rights Law : This area of international law deals with the protection and promotion of human rights on a global scale. Research topics may cover issues like the role of international human rights organizations, the enforcement of human rights treaties, and the impact of human rights violations on international relations.
  • International Humanitarian Law : Also known as the law of armed conflict or the law of war, this branch of international law governs the conduct of parties during armed conflicts. Students can explore topics such as the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, the use of force in self-defense, and the prosecution of war crimes.
  • International Environmental Law : With growing concerns about climate change and environmental degradation, international environmental law has become increasingly relevant. Research topics may include international agreements on climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the responsibility of states for transboundary environmental harm.
  • International Criminal Law : This field focuses on the prosecution of individuals for international crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Students can investigate the role of international criminal tribunals, the challenges of obtaining evidence in international cases, and the pursuit of justice for victims of international crimes.
  • International Trade Law : International trade is essential for global economic development and cooperation. Research topics in this area may cover international trade agreements, dispute settlement mechanisms in trade disputes, and the impact of trade policies on developing nations.
  • Law of the Sea : This branch of international law governs the use and protection of the world’s oceans and resources. Students can explore topics such as the rights and responsibilities of states in their maritime zones, the protection of marine biodiversity, and the resolution of disputes over territorial waters.
  • International Investment Law : As globalization continues to shape economic relationships, international investment law has gained prominence. Research topics may include the regulation of foreign direct investment, investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms, and the balance between investor rights and host state regulatory powers.
  • International Arbitration and Mediation : International dispute resolution is essential for maintaining peaceful relations among states. Students can explore topics such as the effectiveness of international arbitration and mediation in resolving conflicts, the role of international organizations in facilitating dispute resolution, and the enforcement of arbitral awards.
  • Cybersecurity and International Law : With the rise of cyber threats and cyber warfare, international law has grappled with issues of cyber sovereignty, cyber espionage, and the application of existing legal principles to cyberspace. Research topics may delve into the challenges of attributing cyber-attacks, the development of international norms for responsible state behavior in cyberspace, and the protection of human rights in the digital age.

In conclusion, international law offers a vast array of research paper topics that reflect the complexities and challenges of the global legal landscape. As students delve into these topics, they gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of international relations, human rights, trade, and conflict resolution. Exploring the multifaceted nature of international law research allows students to critically analyze the role of law in shaping the conduct of states and the broader international community, fostering a deeper appreciation for the significance of international law in today’s interconnected world.

How to Choose International Law Research Paper Topics

Selecting a compelling and relevant research paper topic is essential to the success of any academic endeavor. In the context of international law, choosing the right research topic requires careful consideration of various factors that can shape the scope and impact of the research. Whether you are a law student, an aspiring international lawyer, or a researcher interested in global legal issues, the following guide provides valuable insights on how to choose international law research paper topics that are engaging, insightful, and contribute meaningfully to the field of international law.

  • Identify Your Area of Interest : International law is a vast and diverse field encompassing numerous sub-disciplines, including human rights law, environmental law, international trade law, and more. Start by identifying your specific area of interest within international law. Reflect on the subjects that intrigue you the most and the issues you are passionate about. This will serve as the foundation for selecting a research topic that resonates with your academic and professional aspirations.
  • Stay Abreast of Current Developments : International law is constantly evolving to address contemporary global challenges and opportunities. Keeping up to date with current international legal developments, landmark cases, and significant treaties and agreements can provide valuable inspiration for research topics. Consider exploring emerging issues and debates in the field, as these can offer unique opportunities for original research and innovative insights.
  • Analyze Relevant Legal Frameworks : International law operates within a complex web of legal frameworks, including treaties, conventions, and customary international law. Analyzing these legal sources can help you identify gaps, contradictions, or areas where further research is needed. Topics that delve into the interpretation and application of international legal instruments can add depth and value to your research.
  • Consider Timeliness and Relevance : A relevant and timely research topic is more likely to capture the attention of readers and contribute to ongoing discussions in the field. Consider the significance of your chosen topic in the context of current global events, policy debates, or emerging challenges. Topics that address pressing international issues, such as climate change, human rights violations, or cybersecurity threats, can have a significant impact on both academic and policy circles.
  • Review Existing Literature : Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the existing body of research on your chosen topic. This will help you identify gaps in the literature that you can explore in your research. Additionally, reviewing existing studies can provide insights into the methodologies and approaches used by other researchers, informing your own research design.
  • Balance Complexity and Feasibility : While it is essential to select a topic that reflects the complexities of international law, it is equally important to ensure that your research is feasible within the scope and limitations of your academic assignment or project. Avoid overly broad or ambitious topics that may be challenging to address comprehensively within the available time and resources.
  • Consult with Professors and Experts : Seek guidance and advice from your professors, academic advisors, or experts in the field of international law. They can provide valuable insights into potential research topics, relevant literature, and methodologies. Engaging in discussions with experienced scholars can help refine your research question and add depth to your analysis.
  • Focus on Practical Implications : Consider the practical implications of your research topic in the real world. How might your findings impact international relations, legal practices, or policymaking? Research that offers practical solutions to global challenges or sheds light on pressing legal issues can have a more significant impact on the field of international law.
  • Address Controversial Issues : International law often involves contentious and complex topics that evoke strong opinions and debates. Embracing controversial issues can lead to thought-provoking research that challenges existing norms and perceptions. However, ensure that you approach such topics with sensitivity and a commitment to unbiased analysis.
  • Conduct a Preliminary Study : Before finalizing your research topic, conduct a preliminary study to gather relevant information and assess the availability of data and resources. This will help you determine whether your chosen topic is viable and whether you can access the necessary materials to conduct a comprehensive study.

In conclusion, choosing the right international law research paper topic is a critical step in producing a successful and impactful piece of academic work. By identifying your area of interest, staying informed about current developments, analyzing legal frameworks, and considering the timeliness and relevance of your topic, you can select a research question that is both intellectually stimulating and practically significant. Engage with existing literature, seek guidance from experts, and balance the complexity and feasibility of your research to ensure a rewarding and insightful exploration of international law issues.

How to Write an International Law Research Paper

Writing an international law research paper requires careful planning, rigorous research, and a structured approach to presenting your arguments and findings. Whether you are a law student or a seasoned researcher, mastering the art of academic writing in the field of international law is essential to communicate your ideas effectively and contribute to the broader legal discourse. This section provides a comprehensive guide on how to write an international law research paper, from choosing a suitable research question to crafting a well-organized and persuasive paper.

  • Define Your Research Question : The first step in writing an international law research paper is to define a clear and focused research question. Your research question should be specific, relevant, and aligned with your area of interest within international law. It should address a significant legal issue or gap in the literature and demonstrate your research objectives.
  • Conduct a Thorough Literature Review : Before diving into your research, conduct a comprehensive literature review to understand the existing scholarship on your chosen topic. This will help you identify key debates, theoretical frameworks, and gaps in the literature that your research can address. A strong literature review serves as the foundation for your research paper and provides context for your study.
  • Develop a Well-Structured Outline : Organize your research paper with a clear and logical structure. Create an outline that includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, main body sections, analysis of findings, and conclusion. Each section should flow seamlessly into the next, guiding the reader through your research process.
  • Craft a Compelling Introduction : The introduction sets the tone for your research paper and should capture the reader’s attention. Start with a hook or a thought-provoking question related to your research topic. Provide background information on the issue at hand and clearly state your research question and objectives. Conclude the introduction with a strong thesis statement that outlines the main argument of your paper.
  • Conduct Rigorous Research : International law research papers require a robust research methodology. Depending on your research question, you may use various methods, such as legal analysis, case studies, empirical research, or comparative analysis. Ensure that you use credible and authoritative sources for your research and cite them properly using the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
  • Analyze and Present Your Findings : In the main body of your research paper, present your findings and analyze them in-depth. Use a clear and coherent structure to present your arguments and evidence. Use relevant case law, treaties, and legal principles to support your analysis and draw well-reasoned conclusions.
  • Address Counterarguments : Acknowledge and address counterarguments to your research findings. Demonstrating that you have considered opposing viewpoints and providing a thoughtful rebuttal strengthens the credibility and persuasiveness of your research.
  • Consider Policy Implications : In international law, research often has practical implications for policymakers and legal practitioners. Discuss the potential policy implications of your findings and offer recommendations for addressing the legal issue at hand. This demonstrates the real-world relevance of your research.
  • Maintain a Cohesive Writing Style : Use clear and concise language throughout your research paper. Avoid jargon and technical terms that may confuse the reader. Maintain a cohesive writing style, ensuring that each paragraph and section contributes to the overall argument of your paper.
  • Write a Strong Conclusion : The conclusion is your opportunity to summarize your key findings, restate your thesis statement, and highlight the significance of your research. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion and instead, focus on leaving the reader with a lasting impression of your research’s importance and potential impact.
  • Edit and Revise : After completing your first draft, take the time to edit and revise your research paper. Check for clarity, coherence, grammar, and proper citation. Consider seeking feedback from peers or professors to gain valuable insights and improve the overall quality of your paper.
  • Review Formatting and Citations : Ensure that your research paper adheres to the required formatting guidelines, such as font size, margins, and line spacing. Double-check your citations and references to avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity.

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trade law research topics

In re Section 301 Cases

Court of International Trade Holds that the APA's Foreign Affairs Exemption Does Not Extend to Tariffs Imposed Under Section 301 of the Trade Act.

Policy as a One-Legged Stool: U.S. Actions Against Supply Chain Forced Labor Abuses

Chapter Five

Major Treatises by Topic

  • Introduction
  • Administrative Law
  • Admiralty and Maritime Law
  • Advertising Law
  • Antitrust and Trade Regulation
  • Arts and Entertainment Law
  • Banking and Financial Institutions
  • Bankruptcy Law
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  • Internet and Information Law
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  • Statutory Interpretation
  • Trademark Law
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  • Trusts and Estates
  • Zoning and Land Use

Multi-Volume Treatises

Ebooks and Online Resources accessible to Case Law Users Only .

The Law of Transnational Business Transactions (2018).  Online:   Westlaw .  Print: Law Library Stacks K1005.L38 2018.   (3 volumes, print last updated in 2019).

Single-Volume Treatises/Hornbooks

Ebooks and Online Resources accessible to Case Law Users Only .

Daniel Bethlehem, et al., The Oxford Handbook of International Trade Law (2009).  Print:   Law Library Stacks K1005 .O94 2009.  

Ian F. Fergusson & Rachel F. Fefer, The World Trade Organization (2019-date). Online: Congressional Research Service.   (Free Government Document).

Ralph H. Folsom, Free Trade Agreements, from GATT 1947 to NAFTA Re-Negotiated 2018 (2019). Ebook: West Academic Study Aids.

Ralph H. Folsom, et al., International Business Transactions in a Nutshell (11th ed., 2020).   Ebook:   West Academic Study Aids.  

Ralph H. Folsom,  International Trade Law Including Beyond Trump, in a Nutshell  (8th ed., 2021).  Ebook:   West Academic Study Aids.

Ralph H. Folsom, et al.,  Principles of International Business Transactions   (4th ed., 2017).   Ebook:  West Academic Study Aids.

Ralph H. Folsom,  Principles of International Trade Beyond Trump,  Including WTO, Technology Transfers, and Import/Export/Customs Law (3d ed., 2021).   Ebook: West Academic Study Aids.

Boris Kozolchyk, Comparative Commercial Contracts: Law, Culture and Economic Development (2014). Print: Law Library Stacks: K1005 .K689 2014.  

Joseph I. Liebman, et al.,  Law and Practice of United States Regulation of International Trade  (Current through 2019-4 update).   Online:    Westlaw.

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International Trade Law: Getting Started

  • Getting Started
  • Legal Periodicals
  • Web Resources
  • International Treaties/Trade Agreements

International trade law is a vast topic with multiple layers. In general, it encompasses the rules and customs that apply to commerce across international borders (import/export), including various global, regional, and bilateral agreements. However, international trade law also touches on other areas of law, such as intellectual property (IP), foreign investment, and dispute settlement. The World Trade Organization ( WTO ) serves as a global depository and referee of sorts in the arena of international trade. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD ) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law ( UNCITRAL ) are also important players in the international trade regime.

The purpose of this guide is to present the many resources available for researching this broad area, including commercial databases available through the LUC Libraries' system. Keep in mind that, because of its broad topical coverage, business, economics, IP, and foreign investment resources may also be relevant when researching international trade law. For more guidance on researching the global investment regime, for example, see the LUC Law Library's " International Commercial and Investment Arbitration Research " guide.   

Under the auspices of the Hauser Global Law School Program at New York University, GlobaLex provides links to a growing collection of articles on foreign, comparative, and international legal research, including various contributions on regional trade agreements. 

  • UPDATE: A Guide to MERCOSUR Legal Research – Sources and Documents
  • UPDATE: Basic Primary and Secondary Information Online Sources for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the United States Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) Research
  • UPDATE: Regional Trade Agreements in Africa – A Historical and Bibliographic Account of ECOWAS and CEMAC
  • UPDATE: Researching the Trading Systems in the Asian-Pacific Region - APEC, ASEAN, TPP, CPTPP, RCEP and their Members

Introductory Materials (Electronic Format)

The following are just some of the many robust library research guides related to the topic of international trade law. 

  • International Law: Trade Ross-Blakley Law Library, Arizona State University
  • International Trade Law University of Melbourne Law Library
  • International Trade Law Research Thomas J. Maskell Law Library, University of Connecticut
  • International Trade Law Research Alfred W. Diamond Law Library, Columbia University
  • World Trade Organization University of Iowa Law Library
  • World Trade Organization Katherine R. Everett Law Library, University of North Carolina

Introductory Texts

The following books serve as introductions to international trade law. For additional titles, see the 'West Academic Study Aids' database available via the Law Library's A-Z Databases  list.

  • International Trade Law, including Beyond Trump, in a Nutshell (Ralph H. Folsom, 2021) This is available as an eBook in the West Academic Study Aids database, which is accessible under the LUC Law Library's "A-Z Databases" list.

Cover Art

For assistance citing to foreign and international materials in U.S. legal publications and documents, see the most recent edition of The Bluebook   (21st). T2 (Foreign Jurisdictions) is available online (no access code required).  For assistance interpreting foreign and international legal citations, see the following:

trade law research topics

Online Translators

English translations of foreign and international legal materials are often difficult to locate and can be unreliable.  Only in rare instances are authoritative English translations available.  If authoritative versions are not available, look for "official" translations that are created by, or for, a government organization.  Further, look for synoptic translations, which allow for side-by-side comparisons of the vernacular with the English translation.  Some types of legal materials are translated into English more often than others, such as those pertaining to commercial law. 

Several online translators are available on the WWW, but these should be used with caution since Web translators do not generally include specialized legal or commercial vocabulary.  Online translators, however, may be of some help in getting the general sense of a document or passage.  Examples of WWW translators are:

  • Google Translate
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  • Last Updated: Apr 28, 2023 10:22 AM
  • URL: https://lawlibguides.luc.edu/InternationalTradeLaw

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The University of Melbourne

International Trade Law

  • Starting your Research
  • Journals & Journal Articles
  • WTO Agreements
  • WTO Dispute Settlement Case Law
  • WTO Statistics & Profiles
  • GATT Panel Reports
  • News & Blogs
  • Referencing and citing

International trade law includes the rules and customs governing trade between countries. 

International trade agreements are negotiated at any one of the following three levels:

  • multilateral level, administered by the World Trade Organization
  • regional level, such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
  • bilateral level, such as free trade and investment agreements with key trading partners.

The focus of this research guide is the multilateral trading system administered by the World Trade Organization, and on the contribution of the UN's UNCITRAL to international trade law.

The rapid growth of international trade has generated a complex and ever-growing body of primary law, including international agreements and trade dispute settlement case law. This guide will show you where and how to find these primary documents and to recommend ways to find secondary sources (books and journal articles) on your international trade law topic. 

A good introduction ... 

trade law research topics

One Stop Research Databases 

The following UniMelb subscription databases include reports of cases and arbitrations, annotated agreements and texts, citators, and negotiating histories. Both have slightly different content and are searched in different ways, so to research comprehensively you may need to use both. 

  • TradeLawGuide  includes annotated agreements and texts, cases, citators negotiating histories & precursor agreements.
  • WorldTradeLaw.net  (also known as Dispute Settlement Commentary or DSC) offers both an open access resource library of current trade news and resources, as well as a subscription service (the DSC Service), which provides summary and analysis of all WTO reports and arbitrations; a current keyword index; a database of dispute settlement tables and statistics; and a user-friendly search tool for WTO cases, legal texts, and other documents.

Other Research Guides

  • Georgetown International Trade Law Guide 
  • NYU Law Library GATT/ WTO Research Guide
  • Next: Secondary Sources >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 27, 2024 10:26 AM
  • URL: https://unimelb.libguides.com/international_trade_law

Georgetown Law

Library electronic resources outage May 29th and 30th

Between 9:00 PM EST on Saturday, May 29th and 9:00 PM EST on Sunday, May 30th users will not be able to access resources through the Law Library’s Catalog, the Law Library’s Database List, the Law Library’s Frequently Used Databases List, or the Law Library’s Research Guides. Users can still access databases that require an individual user account (ex. Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law), or databases listed on the Main Library’s A-Z Database List.

  • Georgetown Law Library
  • Foreign & International Law

International Trade Law Research Guide

  • Secondary Sources: Journal Articles
  • Introduction
  • Secondary Sources: Treatises & Books
  • Subscription Databases
  • U.S. Government Agency Resources
  • Internatioinal and Inter-Governmental Organization Resources
  • Non-Governmental Organization Resources
  • From GATT to the WTO: An Overview
  • Quick Reference Table with Citations
  • Texts and Status of the Agreements
  • Negotiating Histories
  • Commentaries
  • Citations to WTO & GATT Agreements
  • WTO Schedules & Tariff Information
  • WTO Membership & Accession
  • WTO Organization & Decision Making
  • WTO & GATT Official Documents
  • Dispute Settlement Practice & Procedure
  • Dispute Status and Dispute-Related Documents
  • Panel & Appellate Body Reports; Arbitration Decisions & Awards
  • Citations to Dispute Resolution Materials
  • Mega-Regional Trade Agreements: CPTPP & T-TIP
  • NAFTA and the USMCA (NAFTA 2.0)
  • U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (Superseded by NAFTA)
  • Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
  • Other Research Guides & Update History

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Journal Articles

Table of contents, tools for finding journal articles, journal indexes and databases for international trade research, how to retrieve an article if you already have a citation.

  • Selected Journals Focusing on International Trade  

Journal articles can be an excellent source for researching narrower, more specialized legal topics. Articles published in law journals include extensive footnotes with citations to primary and secondary sources that are relevant to the topic.  Two types of tools for conducting journal article research are described below.

  • Journal indexes include bibliographic information about an article, such as the title, the name of the author, and the name of the journal, as well as one or more subject descriptors.  Searching in a journal index usually retrieves more relevant articles than searching in a full-text database because the searches are run only on the bibliographic data and the subject descriptors.  
  • Full-text journal databases allow you to search within the entire text of an article.  Most of them also include bibliographic information, as well.  It is easier to run searches in full-text databases, but they tend to retrieve many irrelevant articles in addition to relevant articles. 

For more information on how to use indexes and full-text databases for journal article research, consult the following library research guide:  Using Articles for Legal and Non-Legal Research .  

You will find citations to articles written about international trade law topics in frequently used law journal indexes , such as LegalTrac and Legal Periodicals and Books ; and in frequently used full-text law journal databases , such as those available on HeinOnline , Lexis , and Westlaw .  To broaden your search, consider using one of the specialized journal databases and indexes described below.

  • Kluwer Law Online Journals This full-text database is especially useful researching international trade law topics, as most of the journals in the database focus on various aspects of international economic law.  
  • Cambridge Core Search for all types of content, including journal articles, published by Cambridge University Press.  After running a search, use the filters on the left to limit by content type, subject, journal name, and date.  
  • Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals For best results, search for one or more keywords in combination with one or more subject headings.  To browse the alphabetical list of subject headings, click on the "Subject" tab.  When you find a relevant subject heading, enter it in the search box and select "Country/Subject Heading" as the search field from the menu before running the search.  
  • Oxford Academic Journals Online Full-text database for journals published by Oxford University Press.  After running a search, use the filters on the left to limit by article type, subject, journal name, and date.  

If you already have a citation to a journal article, use the resources described below to retrieve the full text.  Keep in mind that electronic access to full-text articles varies by journal.  Some journals are available on multiple electronic platforms, but the dates of coverage often vary.  If the article you are seeking falls outside the dates of coverage for electronic access, you will need to access the journal in print, if available, or request a copy of the article via Inter-Library Loan.

  • Search by Citation If the article you are seeking is available in an electronic format from any Georgetown University library, you should be able to quickly retrieve the full text of the article by entering the citation information into this online form.  
  • Journal Finder If the Search by Citation tool fails to retrieve the full text of the article you are seeking, search for the name of the journal in which the article was published in the Journal Finder.  If the Georgetown Law Library has the journal in print, the Journal Finder will display print holdings and dates of coverage.  It also willing display electronic holdings for the journal, along with the dates of coverage, for all Georgetown University libraries.  
  • Inter-Library Loan If the article you are seeking is not available print from the Georgetown Law Library, or in an electronic format from any Georgetown University library, you may request a copy of the article from another library by using the Inter-Library Loan (ILL) service.  

Selected Journals Focusing on International Trade Law

  • Asper Review of International Business and Trade Law  available  online from 2001-present.
  • Global Trade and Customs Journal available online from 2006-present.
  • International Economic Review  available online from 1960-present.
  • International Trade Law & Regulation  available in print from 1995-present.
  • Journal of International Economic Law  available  online from 1998-present.
  • Journal of World Trade  available in print from 1998-present and online from 1967-present.
  • The Journal of World Investment & Trade  available in print from 2000-2011 and online from 2000-present.
  • World Trade and Arbitration Materials available in print from 1994-2010 and online from 1989-present.
  • World Trade Review  available in print from 2002-2010 and online from 2002-present.
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  • © Georgetown University Law Library. These guides may be used for educational purposes, as long as proper credit is given. These guides may not be sold. Any comments, suggestions, or requests to republish or adapt a guide should be submitted using the Research Guides Comments form . Proper credit includes the statement: Written by, or adapted from, Georgetown Law Library (current as of .....).
  • Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024 3:46 PM
  • URL: https://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/InternationalTradeLaw

Foreign and International Law: Topics: International Trade

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  • Environment
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International Trade

  • Law and Economics
  • Law Reform Commissions
  • Legal Information Institutes
  • Reference-General Sources
  • Refugees/Asylum
  • Statistics/Data Archives

Topics in Foreign and International Law

  • Reference--General Sources
  • ASIL Guide to Electronic Resources for International Economic Law Prepared by Jean Wenger, Government Documents/Foreign & International Law Librarian Cook County Law Library.
  • Global Affairs Canada News releases, statements and publications, Canadian embassies and missions, foreign affairs and policy, international business development, and international cultural relations.
  • CISG-France Professor Claude Witz, Saarbrücken University: Application of the Convention on the International Sale of Goods by French jurisdiction, including Cour de Cassation, Cour d'appel, and Tribunal de commerce decisions. In French.
  • Directory of Economic, Commodity and Development Organizations Address, telephone listings, and description of international and regional organizations. Produced by the staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
  • From GATT to the WTO and Beyond: Research Guide
  • G8 Information Centre - University of Toronto Background information on the G8, document texts from G8 Summit Meetings, G8 Ministerial Meetings, and scholarly publications.
  • GATT Digital Archive Contains materials from 1947 to 1994.
  • Global Sales Law Concentrates on the law of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
  • Guide on the Harmonization of International Commercial Law On GlobaLex. By Duncan Alford (2012).
  • Guide to International Trade Law Sources on the Internet By Marci Hoffman.
  • International Chamber of Commerce Select Business Policy Texts link for International Court of Arbitration and related rules, and the text of ICC public documents. Links for global business issues, the International Court of Arbitration, conferences and ICC publications.
  • Lex Mercatoria From the University of Tromsoe, Norway, and Pace University School of Law Rich source of treaties and other primary documents in international trade law. Formerly the 'International Trade Law Monitor.'
  • Organization of American States - Trade Unit Links to official sources of trade and investment information, full- text of bilateral investment treaties and trade agreements between countries in Western Hemisphere, quantitative data, and articles and opinions on trade in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Regional Trade Agreements in Africa: A Historical and Bibliographic Account of ECOWAS and CEMAC By Victor Essien (2014).
  • Research Guide on the Trading Systems in the Asian-Pacific Region: APEC, ASEAN and their Members On GlobaLex. By Chenglin Liu (2010), with update by Wilhelmina Randtke (2014).
  • Trade Compliance Center From the U.S. Department of Commerce. Contains trade agreement database and market access database. The international trade agreements include WIPO, NAFTA and WTO documents, and bilateral trade agreements and protocols. The market access database provides for each country one or more of the following: commercial guide, country reports on economic policy and trade practices, national trade estimate reports, trade policy review summaries.
  • U.N. Convention for the International Sale of Goods - Pace University Searchable CISG text, case law, bibliography, list of contracting states, UNCITRAL outline, and thesaurus of international trade keywords.
  • UNIDROIT - Official Web Site of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law Links for conventions, principles and convention implementation.
  • WebEc: World Wide Web Resources in Economics Scroll down to International Economics for links on international trade, international organizations, exchange rates, international treaties. Not maintained after 2007.
  • World Bank: Trade and International Integration Texts of policy research working papers and executive summaries of the trade expansion program.
  • WTO History Project
  • WTO and GATT Research A research guide from New York University Law Library.
  • World Trade Organization home page Information about the WTO.

Subject Guide

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International Relations *

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  • Digital National Security Archive Collections
  • Directory of National Archives
  • Primary Source Archives
  • Specialized Research Handbooks
  • Specialized Research Hankbooks
  • Specialized Research Handbooks A-J
  • Specialized Research Handbooks K-Z
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  • Truth Commissions
  • International News
  • International Elections and Opinion
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  • Theories of IR, A-F
  • Theories of IR, G-N
  • Theories of IR, O-S
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Trade and Commerce Research Resources

Below are links to databases and electronic resources that support the study of international trade and commerce and related areas of research.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY DATABASES

Databases that offer multidisciplinary coverage of trade and commerce literature from scholarly and non-scholarly sources.

  • Credo Reference -- comprehensive collection of highly-specialized dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks across all subject areas. Good place to go for succinct definitions, explanations, and analysis of concepts, theories, or topics.
  • Google Scholar -- the scholarly part of the Google empire. To set up Google Scholar with access to full-text journals and databases, go here .
  • JSTOR -- a multidisciplinary archive of scholarly journal articles covering most major disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. Useful for identifying historical research on a topic.
  • Oxford Handbooks Online -- contains in-depth, high-level articles covering a variety of disciplines. Entries offer a thorough introduction to topics and a critical survey of the current state of scholarship, creating an original conception of the field and setting the agenda for new research.
  • ProQuest Multiple -- comprehensive, multidisciplinary database of newspaper, magazine, and scholarly journal articles updated daily. Content is more focused and manageable in locating relevant research than Google Scholar .

SPECIALIZED RESEARCH RESOURCES

Key Databases

  • ABI/Inform -- database that features access to full-text journals, dissertations, working papers, key business and economics magazines and trade journals as well as country-and industry-focused reports and downloadable data. Its international coverage gives researchers a complete picture of companies and business trends around the world. Covers research that examines the international trade and commerce.
  • Columbia International Affairs Online [CIAO] -- provides the full text of a wide range of scholarship books, working papers from universities and research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, and proceedings from conferences.
  • EconLit -- provides thorough coverage of a wide range of economics-related literature derived from journal articles, books, working papers, conference papers, and research reports. Coverage if from the 1880s to the present. This is an important source of research on economic issues related to international trade.
  • Public Affairs Information Services [PAIS] -- indexes selective subjects and bibliographic access to periodicals, books, hearings, reports, gray literature, government publications, Internet resources, and other publications from 120 countries. Includes historical coverage from 1915 to the present.
  • Worldwide Political Science Abstracts -- provides indexing of the international journal literature in political science and its complementary fields, including international relations, law, and public administration and policy. Over 1,700 titles are monitored for coverage and, of these, 67% are published outside of the United States.
  • WTO Documents Online -- provides access to the official documentation of the World Trade Organization. The database contains over 140,000 documents in the three official languages from 1995 onwards and is updated daily. The application provides descriptive records for every document stored in the archive. It is possible to consult all of these documents online and also to download selected documents from the site. All WTO documents are posted in PDF and Microsoft Word format. A complete list of all WTO databases accessing official documents of the WTO's councils and committees is located HERE .

Related Research Resources

  • Commentaries on World Trade Law Online -- an open access e-book from Brill Publishers, this is  a comprehensive, standard reference work on WTO Law.  The Commentaries  explain the provisions of the WTO Agreements article by article, setting out the interpretation of each article in the case law, in practice and in scholarly writing. The contents are extensively hyperlinked to source documents, cross-referenced and indexed.
  • European Commission Trade -- web site with links to European Union trade negotiations and agreements, EU's trade agreement with the four founding Mercosur states [Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay], EU's role in the World Trade Organization, EU negotiating texts proposals and the latest round reports published since October 2015 related to the EU’s trade agreements and ongoing trade negotiations, data on trade and jobs, and trade rules enforcement on both the EU export markets and on the EU market.
  • Global Trade Alert -- provides timely information on state interventions taken since November 2008 that are likely to affect foreign commerce. It includes state interventions affecting trade in goods and services, foreign investment, and labor force migration. The site focuses on trade policy monitoring and, in particular, coverage of all types of trade-discriminatory and trade liberalizing measures.
  • Index of Economic Freedom -- an annual guide published by The Heritage Foundation that uses analysis of 12 quantitative and qualitative factors, grouped into four broad categories of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, government integrity, judicial effectiveness); Government Size (government spending, tax burden, fiscal health); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom); and, Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). The Index currently ranks 186 countries.
  • ITC Electronic Document Information System -- searchable repository for all documents filed in relation to an investigation conducted by the United States International Trade Commission. EDIS provides the capability to file documents for an investigation as well as search for documents which have already been submitted to the USITC.
  • International Trade Commission -- an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that makes determinations in proceedings involving imports claimed to injure a domestic industry or violate U.S. intellectual property rights; provide independent analysis and information on tariffs, trade and competitiveness; and maintain the U.S. tariff schedule.
  • International Trade Web Resources -- a comprehensive, searchable directory of online resources concerning international trade. The site contains more than 8,000 annotated and indexed links to international trade/import-export websites.
  • HeinOnline Law Journal Library -- full text access to digitized content of more than 2,600 law and law-related periodicals that cover criminal justice, political science, technology, human rights, and more. Coverage for all journals is from first issue and volume through the current issue or volume for most titles.
  • Mergent Intellect -- a web-based application that features an in-depth collection of worldwide business information. The database offers access to private and public U.S and international business data, industry news, facts and figures, executive contact information, the ability to access industry profiles and much more. Useful source for obtaining information about U.S and international companies involved in global trade.
  • SICE: Foreign Trade Information System   -- supported by the Organization of American States, this site provides access to multilateral, free, partial preferential trade agreements, and customs unions [a trade bloc composed of a free trade area with a common external tariff]; trade policy developments and updates; national legislation, national authorities and contact points, and additional information on disciplines contained in trade agreements; and, comparative tables of trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties. 
  • United Nations Commission on International Trade Law -- the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law. Mission is to further the harmonization and modernization of the law of international trade by preparing and promoting the use and adoption of legislative and non-legislative instruments in a number of key areas of commercial law.
  • United States Court of International Trade -- established under Article III of the Constitution, this court has nationwide jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of the customs and international trade laws of the United States. The court has exclusive subject matter jurisdiction of certain civil actions brought by the United States under the laws governing import transactions, as well as counterclaims, cross-claims, and third-party actions relating to actions pending in the court.

DATA AND STATISTICS--COMPREHENSIVE

  • Google Dataset Search -- facilitates searching approximately 25 million datasets provided by government, public, and private groups. Users can filter results based on the type of data desired [e.g., images or text]. Data availability is based on the original source being formatted using schema.org standards, an open discovery standard for data on the web.
  • National Statistical Offices -- a directory of country-specific statistical agencies maintained and updated by the United Nations Statistics Division. Also included is a list of countries and organizations which includes a brief history of the country's statistical system, legal basis, the statistical program and much more.
  • UNData -- searchable statistical database provided by the United Nations Statistics Division that provides access to current statistics. The database covers a number of different areas such as employment, industry, and trade. A single interface facilitates the creation of customizable tables and the use of various filters and search options to sort and locate specific statistical information.

DATA AND STATISTICS--SPECIALIZED

  • ASEANStatsDataPortal -- first launched in June 2018, this website functions as a repository for Association of Southeast Asian Nations statistical databases, including those related to trade and commerce. The Portal is currently in the public beta version, the data sources in this website are mostly from regularly updated data submitted by the ASEAN Member states, using the ASEAN Statistical Indicators.
  • Design of Trade Agreements (DESTA) Database -- aims to systematically collect data on various types of preferential trade agreements. These may be customs unions, free trade agreements, or partial free trade agreements (economic integration agreements). DESTA works with a list of almost 790 agreements and includes coded design features for more than 620 agreements. These include fine-grained data with information on a large set ranging from market access commitments, flexibility instruments, enforcement tools, to non-trade issues for the time period between 1948 and 2016.
  • Direction of Trade Statistics -- an International Monetary Fund database that presents the value of merchandise exports and imports disaggregated according to a country's primary trading partner. Area and global aggregates are included in the display of trade flows between major areas of the world. Reported data is supplemented by estimates whenever such data is not available or current. Imports are reported on a cost, insurance and freight basis and exports are reported on a free on board basis. The database covers all IMF member states, some non-member countries, the world, and major areas. Monthly and quarterly data are available starting in 1960; annual data are available beginning in 1947.
  • FAO Detail Trade Matrix -- the trade database of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that includes the following variables: export quantity, export value, import quantity and import value. The trade database provides data concerning all food and agricultural products imported/exported annually by all the countries in the world.
  • Foreign Trade Statistics -- a U.S. Bureau of the Census statistics site that includes trade highlights, product trade data, country data, state export data, and an historical series. Coverage is from 1960 to the present. This is a good place locate detailed statistics on goods and estimates of services shipped from the United States to countries overseas.
  • EuroStat -- official site of the the European Union that provides statistics at European level that enable comparisons between countries and regions. Eurostat's database is updated twice a day. Users can download individual datasets by extracting data directly from the database, by selecting our most popular tables from the homepage, by using our bulk download facility or via our web services. Trade data includes the value and quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States and goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries, and, statistics on international trade in services that record services transactions between residents and non-residents.
  • Information System on Integration and Trade [INt rade] -- produced by the Inter-American Development Bank, this site contains several databases that includes in-depth data on the bilateral trade of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, both at the aggregate level and by product up to the 6 digit level of the Harmonized System; annual and quarterly bilateral trade flows in value and volume at the tariff-line level, for each country of the Americas, including transport costs, insurance fees, and duties are available for selected countries; a comprehensive set of indicators defined to assess the trade performance and analyze the trade policies of the countries of the region; and a collection of statistics and indicators for each IDB borrowing member country, providing an overview of its trade performance and trade policies.
  • International Trade and Balance of Payments Statistics Portal   -- provides access to four areas of data: international merchandise trade, international trade in services, balance of payments, and trade by enterprise characteristics. Maintained by the OECD International Trade Statistics Programme, the site's mission is to compile core series on international merchandise trade that are comparable between countries, to reconcile and resolve trade asymmetries at the national level between declaring and by partner countries, and to be directly involved in better understanding and measuring globalization using international trade statistics as a core input.
  • International Trade by Commodity Statistics -- a database of the OECD that includes detailed data from 1961 for imports and exports by commodity in quantity and value between OECD countries and 264 different partner countries. Products are classified according to the Standard International Trade Classification system and Harmonized System. Coverage from 2010 to the present.
  • Maritime Transport Costs -- a database of statistics from the OECD used in conjunction with the paper Clarifying Trade Costs in Maritime Transport and which contains data from 1991 to the most recent available year of bilateral maritime transport costs. Transport costs are available for 43 importing countries (including EU15 countries as a custom union) from 218 countries of origin at the detailed commodity (6 digit) level of the 1988 Harmonized System. Data is available on transport costs of commodities in agriculture, crude oil, manufacturing, and raw materials.
  • Trade Map -- provides in the form of tables, graphs and maps, indicators on export performance, international demand, alternative markets and competitive markets, as well as a directory of importing and exporting companies. The database covers 220 countries and territories and 5300 products of the Harmonized System. The monthly, quarterly, and yearly trade flows are available from the most aggregated level to the tariff line level.
  • UN Comtrade   -- open access database providing detailed global trade data. S  erves is a repository of official trade statistics and relevant analytical tables and  contains annual trade statistics starting from 1962 and monthly trade statistics since 2010. The database also includes United Nations Trade Statistics and International Merchandise Trade Statistics by nation. An essential source of global trade data.
  • UNCTADstat -- a product of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, this site provides access to comprehensive statistical time series and indicators essential for the analysis of world trade, development, and interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and durable development. The statistical series are regularly updated and classified into easy-to-navigate themes. UNCTADstat also offers ready-to-use analytical groupings, with coverage for countries and products with a particular focus on developing and transition economies.
  • WITS TradeStat Database -- developed by the World Bank in collaboration with other NGOs, this database provides the latest international merchandise and commercial services trade data and overview of country and region's imports and exports, tariff and non-tariff measures. View international trade statistics by country or region to obtain country or region's overall exports, imports and tariffs; details of exports and imports with various partner countries along with partner share and Most Favored Nation and Effective Applied Tariff tariffs imposed; details on various products exported and imported globally and with individual partner countries; and. trade indicators like number of export and import partners, trade as percentage of GDP, services exports and imports, taxes on exports, and many more indicators.
  • World Bank Services Trade Restrictions Database -- aims to facilitate dialog about, and analysis of, services trade policies. The database provides comparable information on services trade policy measures for 103 countries, five sectors (telecommunications, finance, transportation, retail and professional services) and key modes of delivery.
  • World Integrated Trade Solution -- provides access to international merchandise trade, tariff, and non-tariff measures data. Browse the Country profile section to obtain countries exports, imports and tariff statistics along with relevant development data. In addition, WITS provides built-in analytical tools that help assess the impact of tariff cuts. Use the Trade Outcomes module to assess competitiveness of countries by calculating and visualizing indicators. Requires registration and log in to WITS to perform custom analysis, using standard and derived product classifications. System is created and maintained by the World Bank in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
  • WTO Data Portal -- contains statistical indicators related to WTO issues. Available time series cover merchandise trade and trade in services statistics, market access indicators (bound, applied, and preferential tariffs), non-tariff information, and other key indicators. Data retrieval functionalities include data selection, display and export, including available metadata. Maps and other graphical representations of selected data are also available.

Descriptions of resources are adapted or quoted from vendor websites

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RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS:  WORKING PAPERS

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The papers listed below are working papers, and hence they usually represent research in progress. Such research may be conducted in the preparation of Secretariat reports, studies or informational material for WTO members. These papers are circulated for discussion and comment because critical review of professional research is important to the WTO.

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Disclaimer : The opinions expressed in these papers are those of the authors. They are not intended to represent the positions or opinions of the WTO or its members and are without prejudice to members' rights and obligations under the WTO. Any errors are attributable to the authors.

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Foreign Law Guide

General Guides and Resources for Public International Law

  • GlobaLex Research guides to international law (by subject) and foreign law (by jurisdiction) from NYU's Hauser Global Law School Program.

UVA users only

  • ASIL Research Guide to Public International Law An up-to-date guide to treaty and other public international law research with an emphasis on online resources. From the American Society of International Law.

Criminal Law

  • ASIL Research Guide to International Criminal Law
  • Research Guides to the International Criminal Courts for the Former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone From GlobaLex.
  • Comparative Criminal Procedure: A Selected Bibliography From GlobaLex.
  • International Criminal Court Legal Tools Provides access to documents important to international criminal law, including treaties, judgments and decisions, summaries of domestic criminal justice systems in many countries including relevant statutes or codes, and commentary on international criminal law and other aspects of international law.

Environmental Law

  • ECOLEX: A Gateway to Environmental Law
  • United Nations Environment Programme
  • ASIL Research Guide to International Environmental Law
  • A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research From GlobaLex.

Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

  • UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • OHCHR Jurisprudence Database Contains recommendations and findings from the various UN human rights committees that consider complaints from individuals.
  • Refworld UNHCR's comprehensive information source on refugee status includes treaties, legislation and court decisions, as well as information organized by country and topic.
  • European Court of Human Rights Pending cases, judgments, basic texts and a complete index to all ECHR judgments.
  • Bayefsky.com: The United Nations Human Rights Treaties
  • ICRC's Customary International Humanitarian Law Database A free online version of their two-volume publication.
  • University of Minnesota Human Rights Library
  • Human Rights Library: Collections on the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and Inter-American Commission on Human Rights From the University of Minnesota.
  • ESCR-Net Caselaw Database Database of domestic, international, and quasi-judicial cases and decisions on economic, social and cultural rights.
  • U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
  • Project Diana: An Online Human Rights Case Archive From Yale Law School.
  • ASIL Research Guide to International Human Rights
  • ASIL Research Guide to International Humanitarian Law
  • International Human Rights Research Guide From GlobaLex.
  • ICJ E-bulletin on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights International Commission of Jurist's free monthly publication of legal developments in the fields of counter-terrorism and human rights.

Intellectual Property

  • WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organization
  • WIPO Lex Collection of intellectual property legislation (in English) from WIPO member countries.
  • AIPPI - International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property An international NGO devoted to the "the development and improvement of intellectual property." The Questions/Committees section contains country-by-country reports on specific intellectual property law topics.
  • European Patent Office
  • U.S. Patent & Trademark Office General information, forms, and a free searchable patent and trademark database.
  • U.S. Copyright Office Copyright basics, law, forms, and other materials available through the Library of Congress, the entity responsible for copyrights.
  • ASIL Research Guide to International Intellectual Property Law
  • IP Precedents Database Database of English translations of precedential domestic court decisions on IP topics; from the Research Center for the Legal System of Intellectual Property.

Law of the Sea

  • United Nations: Oceans and Law of the Sea
  • International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
  • International Seabed Authority
  • UVA Center for Oceans Law & Policy
  • ASIL Research Guide to Law of the Sea

Trade, Investment or Economic Law

  • GATT Documents Online From the WTO.
  • GATT Digital Library From Stanford University.
  • WorldTradeLaw.net
  • International Trade Database: Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods From Pace University.
  • Trans-Lex.org Research platform for transnational commercial law from the Center for Transnational Law, Cologne University, Germany.
  • SICE - Foreign Trade Information System From the Organization of American States.
  • United States International Trade Commission
  • United States Trade Representative
  • Harmonized Tariff Schedule

UVA Law School users only

  • ASIL Research Guide to International Economic Law
  • ASIL Research Guide to International Commercial Arbitration
  • Research Guide on the Harmonization of International Commercial Law From GlobaLex.

Women's Rights

  • Women's Human Rights Resources From the University of Toronto.
  • Women's Human Rights Documents From the University of Minnesota.
  • Women's Rights Links From the University of Minnesota.
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257 Trade Essay Topics for Students & Trade Project Topics

🏆 best essay topics on trade, 🔎 easy trade research paper topics, 👍 good trade research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot trade ideas to write about, 🎓 most interesting trade research titles, 💡 simple trade essay ideas, ❓ trade research questions.

  • The Effects of Globalization to Employment and International Trade
  • Globalization Impacts on Trade and Employment
  • Apple Inc.’s Globalization Strategy and International Trade
  • Example of Successful Trading Company: Walmart, INC.
  • Governmental Role in Influencing International Trade
  • Transatlantic Slave Trade and Its Effects
  • World Trade Organization’s History, Achievements, and Challenges
  • International Trade Payment Forms To succeed in international markets and gain sales against international competitors, exporters need to give clients attractive terms of payment supported by viable forms.
  • Main Reasons for Trade Between Nations The developed shipping industry and the availability of resources, including land, labor, and capital, in different countries, promote international trade.
  • Christopher Columbus: Voyage to Asia’s Discover Trade Routes Christopher Columbus wants to attempt to find new trade routes to Asia by sailing westward. This desire is motivated by dangerous waters in the East, and high cost of shipping.
  • Importance of the Maritime Trade The Maritime system has both economic and social importance to the U.S. and North America, this is because ships form the primary mode of transport used for international trade.
  • Fair Trade: Japan – Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages The WTO indicted Japan for what it described as a violation of the internal taxation and regulations as stipulated in the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade 1994.
  • The Importance of International Trade Thanks to international trade, the country’s domestic economy can achieve a more efficient allocation of resources and a high level of well-being of the population.
  • International Trade Simulation and Report Comparative advantage is done so as to have to have the trades and specialization determined. These theories are for international trade concepts.
  • Fair Enough? Big Business Embraces Fair Trade In fair trade, product manufacturers and consumers are responsible for growers in the creation of their possibility to sell products for a reasonable price.
  • Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates Trade Comparison The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of the free trade agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.
  • Triangular Trade, Its Legs and Mechanism Triangular trade consisted of three parties, namely Africa, England, and the New World. This essay will discuss the development of transatlantic trade.
  • Free Trade as a New Phenomenon in International Trade The free trade concept was introduced in “Theory of Comparative Advantage” by David Ricardo, and is one of the new phenomena in the international trade organization.
  • Sugar and Cotton History and Present Trade In this paper, we will compare sugar with another commodity – cotton, which had a similar early history to the emergence of sugar.
  • Sony Corporation and the New Trade Theory The New Trade theory is referred to as an economic theory developed by several economists in the 1970s. This theory has clearly been elucidated by the Sony corporation.
  • Conscious Capitalism and Fair Trade The paper discusses the concept of conscious capitalism. It supports fair trade and is relevant to many types of businesses.
  • Cultural Differences in Business & Trade This paper reports on cultural differences among people and determine their impact on trade. Some of the differences are pretty obvious, for example, a language.
  • International Trade and Investment Countries may form an agreement framework between them in an attempt to expand trade between them and/or resolve underlying disputes.
  • Sony Corporation International Trade Strategy Analysis Sony’s current objective and strategy are focused on getting closer to people, which means that the company is shifting its vector of development on creating social value
  • China’s Trade Policy for the Global Economy The paper seeks to prove that China presents an outstanding example of rapid economic growth and has affected the development of the global economy significantly.
  • Globalization Impact on Trade and Employment One of the notable effects of globalization is heightened trade liberalization and opening up of global labor markets.
  • Costs Involved in Warehousing, Impacts and Their Trade-offs in the Aviation Costs incurred in the warehousing of aviation and aerospace materials and parts include handling and storage charges, and operational and general administrative expenses
  • The United Arab Emirates and International Trade The United Arab Emirates has become one of globalization’s most prominent economic success stories thanks to its diversified economy.
  • Impact of International Trade on Emerging Economies Discussing the impact on international trade of emerging economies like those of Eastern Europe, India, and China, what can we expect from them in the next 20–50 years.
  • International Trade and Trade Policies Trade policies were initially done away with but the globalization has now begun to haunt all world governments.
  • Ethical Trade in the UK Garment Industry This research is relevant to understand in business ethics in the garment industry is genuine or a mere response to the pressure groups and the stakeholders.
  • The China-United States Trade War The paper provides information on trade barriers between USA and China and their promotes free trade on the international scene.
  • Global Mind Commodities Trading Company’s Strategic Marketing The report analyzes the Asian sugar industry and performs a company analysis of Global Mind Commodities Trading Pte Ltd.
  • European Trade Goods for Native Americans The use of European trade goods changed Native Americans’ lives while providing them with more opportunities to succeed in supporting and protecting their families.
  • The Impact of Globalization on Labor Market and Trade Globalization is the process that refers to the coming together of the international markets. This report examines the impacts of globalization on trade and employment.
  • Climate Change and International Trade The relationship between climate change and international trade has been on a great verge of developing a new critical issue. This was so evident at the Conference of Parties Climate Conference.
  • International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization This paper studies three international financial organizations: the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization.
  • International Trade Philosophy Multinational companies which have a presence in foreign markets need to rely on a clear philosophy which can serve as the foundation and guidance for their operations abroad.
  • The Russian invasion of Ukraine and Its Impact on International Trade The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused enormous human misery, but it has also harmed international trade, which will disproportionately affect low-income nations.
  • Trans-Pacific Regional Trade Agreement (CPTPP) This paper will present a discussion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Agreement.
  • Free and Fair Trade: Vietnam-EU Partnership Free trade includes policies that help to reduce barriers that may serve as an impediment to international commerce.
  • Consumer Law: Trade Practises Act The report outlines section 52 of the Trade Practises Act, which provides for the measures companies should consider before introducing new products to the market.
  • Comparative Advantage and Free Trade Despite its attractive formulation, comparative advantage theory has several pitfalls and is rarely manifested in real-life situations due to trade restriction policies.
  • Employee Relations and Trade Unions Businesses now focus on a wider range of factors and place a greater emphasis on other factors such as employee appraisal and motivation.
  • Negotiating Globally: The U.S.-China Trade War Donald Trump added to the controversy of his term in the U.S. President’s office by starting a full-scale trade war against China.
  • Aspects of International Trade The focus of the paper is to compare and contrast the factor-proportions theories and country-specific theories that address the partners.
  • Electric Cars and Trade Paradigm The paper discusses environmental sustainability. Using Tesla company electric vehicles is the best decision for tackling the climate change problem.
  • Insider Trading – The Legal and Illegal The insider trading is illegal activity when non-public information is used to gain an advantage over other traders.
  • Trade and Usage Control: Drug Enforcement Administration The paper looks into the history of the drug enforcement agency, the factors that led to its formation, its goals, and its comparison with the federal bureau of narcotics.
  • History of the Indian Ocean Trade The Indian Ocean Trade took place between 1200 to 1500ce, and it made a great impact in the world due to the activities involved.
  • The Global Marketing and Trade Environments Economic and trade environments are critical in understanding product performance. A significant marketing concern is reaching the right target audience.
  • World Trade Organization and North American Free Trade Agreements The world trade organization and North America free trade agreements are both international trade agreements with several similarities and differences.
  • Garment Trading Company: Motivational Climate and Its Improvement Using well-elaborated methodology and up-to-date research of employees’ motivation, the survey is designed to determine the level of employees’ motivation in this company.
  • International Business and Free Trade Globalization is at the center stage but it is affected by international trade, and free trade. This paper looks into globalization, international trade, and free trade.
  • Statistical Pairs Trading and Analyst Recommendation This paper focuses on the correlation between statistical pairs trading and analyst recommendations by employing the approach used by Gatev and colleagues.
  • American Cuban Conundrum: Trade Relations The United States of America and Cuba need to come up with strategic plans and actions are handled appropriately to resuming their trade relations.
  • A Trade Policy for Game Consoles in the US and Brazil Even though trade relations between Brazil and the United States are regulated and are among the most profitable for both countries, trade policy has specific nuances.
  • Exploring the Global Economy: International Trade and Finance Global trade and finance is a framework based on efficiency and effectiveness through interconnectedness and specialization, which carries greater risks for all involved parties.
  • Business Law: Trade Union This work assesses the chances of organizing a community of workers and shows how the state is trying to regulate it. Unionization is a vital part of the working process.
  • Discussion of International Trade The article says that international trade is one of the essential things in the world today because without its help slowed down the development of a person as such.
  • International Trade Law: Cif Contract CIF contracts are one of the most popular trade agreements between a buyer and a seller in the sphere of international trade when sea carriage is used.
  • The History of the Slave Trade in America This paper aims at exploring the rise of the slave trade in America and its influence on American economic life.
  • The Effects of Trade Unions on Alienation at Work The workers, by being aware of their trade union’s support, experience alienating feelings of stress, dissatisfaction, and meaninglessness at work.
  • Human Rights and International Trade Human rights in international trade precipitated the formation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) which caters to the welfare of the workers and other interest groups.
  • Issues in Cryptocurrency Trading Ever since the success of Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies have been steadily growing in number as well as the volume of transactions that occur through them.
  • UK Interests in EU-India Free Trade Agreement To dispel dogmas created by the critics, the United Kingdom decided to state its interest in the ongoing FTA negotiations.
  • Sugar Cane Plantation and Slave Trade in South America By 1652, the price of slaves had doubled, marked by increased demand for slave labor and increased price of sugar in the new world. The price of slaves was determined by health, age.
  • Trade in Singapore: Economic and Political Aspects Singapore is the ideal place for trade because of its geographic location, business environment and less burden imposed by the government.
  • ASEAN Free Trade Area and Economic Development ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) opened new opportunities for Eats Asian countries to stabilize their economies and improve financial performance of the region.
  • Labour Rights in International Trade In international trade, there is the interaction of different countries whose labor rights might differ from generally accepted by international human labor rights bodies.
  • International Trade Theory: Hill’s Book Summary This work summarizes Hill’s book about international theories and the benefits of international trade through the examination of the garment industry in Bangladesh.
  • International Business and Free Trade Agreement The paper seeks to examine both the advantages and shortcomings of the North American Free Trade Agreement and thereafter draw an individual conclusion.
  • Virtual Water Savings and Trade in Agriculture The idea of virtual water was initially created as a method for assessing how water-rare nations could offer food, clothing, and other water-intensive products to their residents.
  • Fair Trade: Ethics in the UK Garment Industry This paper will aim at understanding the code of conduct that is voluntarily disclosed by the UK apparel companies.
  • Free Trade Agreements Between Canada and Other Countries The connection between Canada and other countries has been ignored over the years, free trade agreements are necessary and should be pursued for various reasons.
  • Market Revolution: Agriculture and Global Trade In the era of traders, the vast land area and rich natural resources created many economic opportunities. Most people lived in rural areas and were engaged in agriculture.
  • The 1807 Bill and the Abolition of the Slave Trade The study of the problem of discrimination from a historical perspective allowed me to better understand its origin as it proposes to consider the debate regarding human rights.
  • World Trade Agreements and Anti-Dumping Measures This paper considered the issue of the increasing influence of dumping practices. It is one of the ways of price discrimination.
  • Trade and Supply Chain Improvement Initiatives The ability to operate supply chain (SC) and trade processes efficiently is inextricably connected to modern states’ economic success and status in the international market.
  • African Kingdoms, Atlantic Slave Trade, and New World Slavery The connections between African kingdoms, the Atlantic slave trade, and the new world slavery are shown in this paper.
  • Trade Policies in International Business The ideas of antidumping policies are seen in the article posted in The Economic Times about duties imposed by India on ursodiol.
  • Boeing and Airbus: Trade Barriers and Government’s Role The case of Boeing and Airbus demonstrates the governmental impact that created confusion and depicts the effect of trade barriers.
  • How Multinational Businesses Can Improve Their Trade Compliance Globalization is a wave informing and shaping the practices of many companies operating in different parts of the world.
  • Aspects of the Trading Conditions of Online Brokers The paper aims to explore three collaborative offers from major online brokerage platforms from the perspective of the average investor.
  • Trade Advantages within the Global Economy Kenya is an Eastern African country that is bordered by Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean.
  • Free Trade and Prosperity Based on the Ricardian Trade model, it is worth having free trade even if some people are losing. Free trade promotes access to lower-priced goods with higher quality. Although some people in the home country will experience losses, imports from countries like Mexico and China are cheap, and this helps…
  • The North America Free Trade Agreement in News The North America Free Trade Agreement was a landmark trade deal between Canada, Mexico, and the United States that took effect in 1994.
  • Supply Chain Management and Trading System This essay is largely devoted to the discussion of supply chain management and the contemporary trading system.
  • Experiments in High-Frequency Trading High-frequency trading (HFT) is becoming increasingly popular with private businesses and traders. HFT allows traders to make transactions within fractions of seconds.
  • Fair Trade and Its Benefits for Local Farmers Fair trade was introduced to support the work of local farmers, whose incomes depend not only on themselves but also on various factors such as drought, crop diseases, and others.
  • The World Trade Organization’s Impact on Public Health The World Trade Organization is an integration organization established on 1 January 1995 to liberalize international trade and regulate its member states’ business.
  • The US-China Trade War: Microeconomics Principles This paper uses the microeconomics principles to substantiate the impact of trade between China and the US, and the trade war on businesses and consumers of both countries.
  • Japan-US International Trade Relationship Through the example of the Japan-US trade relationship, this paper will analyze the importance of a proper assessment of a nation’s and its partner’s economy.
  • Why International Trading Is Beneficial The paper states that international trading is vital in overcoming the problems of limited natural resource production opportunities.
  • Export and Import in World Economy and International Trade The paper aims to study two mechanisms, export and import, which function together and must be examined to learn more about the world economy and all international trade.
  • Trade Between Europe and Other Countries The trade relationship between Europe and other countries is improving, however, there are cultural, political, governmental, and economic challenges.
  • Globalization and Poverty: Trade Openness and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria Globalization can be defined as the process of interdependence on the global culture, economy, and population. It is brought about by cross-border trade.
  • Fair Trade Joe: Business Opportunities Fair Trade Joe has multiple opportunities, such as using its customer-oriented strategy to develop relationships with its clients, grow retention, and build brand awareness.
  • Trade Agreement Between Mexico and Brazil Using the example of an agreement concluded between Brazil and Mexico, it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of such actions.
  • Brazil’s Aspirations to Join the World Trade Organization Brazil’s aspirations to join the World Trade Organization faced a certain resistance on behalf of the country’s left-wing politicians who feared it.
  • Facilitating Trade and Securing Import & Export One of the European Government’s concerns is to facilitate trade while also securing import and export procedures.
  • The US Trade Deficit as a Current News Issue The US trade deficit resulted from a rise in imports, probably caused by businesses’ replenishment of inventories depleted during the COVID-10 pandemic.
  • Thailand: Culture, Tourism, International Trade This paper aims to research the country of Thailand: its population and society, the culture of Thailand, the country’s economy and international trade, and tourism in Thailand.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) The current paper presents two points why advertising should be controlled by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  • India’s International Trade Policy India partners with great countries that help promote trade. Trade between India and the EU has dramatically increased by 12.5%.
  • The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the International Trading The coronavirus pandemic has created new tough barriers to globalization and trade: the shutdown of production and the borders of leading countries and economic groups.
  • Fair Trade Organized Social Movements Fair trade is an organized social movement that advocates fair standards of international labor, environmental, and social regulation.
  • Stockbroker E*TRADE: A Pioneer in Online Trading E*TRADE is among the most competitive and notable discount brokers. And this claim is based on its innovative trading resources and platforms.
  • Trade Peculiarities in Food and Agriculture Food trading is a peculiar area, as food is the basis for surviving the population. The one who controls food production and trading routes, also controls all populations.
  • Pollution Rights Trading Will Effectively Control Environmental Problems The further use of the cap-and-trade system and its constant perfection can contribute to controlling the environmental issues related to harmful emissions.
  • Negative Sentiments Against Trade and Globalization Although the authors’ views are robust and applicable to developed economies, rising negative sentiments against trade and globalization remain relevant in developing countries.
  • Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The report investigates the role of the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the economy of the country, their legal grounds, and leverages.
  • Greece’s Trading Interaction Analysis Greece’s trading interaction analysis showed that Greece exports and imports goods and services, such as various equipment and specialized machines.
  • The Spread of Islam With Trade and Geography Due to the research on Islam, scientists managed to preserve the scientific heritage of previous civilizations and develop new directions in science, culture, and art.
  • European Slave Trade in Historical Documents The European Slave Trade was one of the three stages involved in the triangular transaction, otherwise known as the Trans-Atlantic trade.
  • The UK Global Competitiveness in Trade After Brexit The long-term goal for UK in international trade is to be globally competitive. One major problem is the negative trend in trade deficit during the last decade with EU members.
  • The Current Trading Environment of Airbus This paper provides a brief company history, current situation overview, internal and external analysis, evaluates challenges, and identifies future directions.
  • Electric Cars and Trade Paradigm Global businesses and working environments are complex and require an in-depth assessment of issues for proper management.
  • Effects of Latin America’s Trade with Developed Nations The essay examines the performance of Latin America in the world’s economy and investigates the decreasing terms of exchange despite the world’s growing economy.
  • Researching of the Challenges of Free Trade In the world of serious business, along with opportunities for real economic growth, companies face the potential threat of financial and reputational collapse and decline
  • Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The paper analyzes the two bodies established to promote consumer protection and eliminate inappropriate business practices.
  • Multinational Business Finance and Currency Trade At the time of the recession, investments became more substantial and soon large amounts of money were put into the financial system.
  • Choosing a Currency Trading Strategy: When Investments Start to Grow While trading currency does involve a specific element of unpredictability, it still follows common economic laws, and its processes can be traced easily.
  • The European Trade Policy: Objectives and Benefits The European Trade Policy is the most powerful tool through which the European Union establishes fair trade practices.
  • Trade Routes and Colonization of North America During the period, also known as the Age of Discovery or the Age of Exploration, many countries became involved in the process of searching for new trade routes.
  • The Trade War Between the USA and China The most important geopolitical issue is the trade war between the USA and China. Its development affects every other country due to the two economies in the world.
  • Sino-American Trade War and Its Impact The trade war between the US and China has negatively influenced the economic systems of both countries. There could be increased costs for customers in the US.
  • Fire Cases of World Trade Center and Dupont Fires Fires are among the fatal tragedies that have befallen America since time immemorial. Fire tragedies continue to haunt people despite efforts made to fight fires.
  • The Federal Trade Commission This paper presents that the funeral services industry is essential since it allows grieving people to bury their dead ones in style.
  • Trade Issues and Patterns of Mexico The trade situation in Mexico can be evaluated ambiguously, as it has both positive and negative characteristics.
  • Gender, Race, and Trade Unions It can be noted that there are particular strategies, which can be applied when gender or racial discrimination happens.
  • The U.S. Trade Balance and China Trade War Challenges This paper describes the US trade balance in terms of its impact on the country’s economy, as well as in the context of the ongoing phenomenon of a trade war with China.
  • Trade War Between the US and China The trade war between the US and China makes a negative impact on the economies of both countries, leading to a trade deficit and higher prices.
  • International and Traditional Trading Theories A trade war is a situation in which countries seek to harm each other’s economies, retaliate against each other by imposing import restrictions and other methods.
  • Productivity Trade-Offs in Organizations Productivity is calculated by combining the time used for creating something as well as materials to divide them later equally.
  • Coronavirus-Related Free and Fair Trade Issue in News The paper discusses the article by Finbarr Bermingham and Wendy Wu on the delayed release of the intellectual property action plan.
  • Petroleum Trading and Risk Management Petroleum and gas producers’ choice to hedge utilizing varieties of hedging activities needs to be executed based on individual cases.
  • “Do Investors Trade Too Much?” by Odean The author assumes that this may have certain relation to the overall excessive trading volume which can often be observed on the world market.
  • Multinational Corporations and Trade Unions Multinational corporations are the main subject of globalization in the modern world. Trade unions were concerned about the uncontrolled actions of such corporations.
  • The Effects of Globalization on Trade Globalization entails incorporating national wealth through the trade of goods, investment, capital distribution, labor exchange, and technology use.
  • Commodity Trading Advisor: Skills and Practice Analysis This paper has covered the legal matters that a Commodity Trading Advisor needs to deal with before practicing so as to avoid serious implications.
  • The World Trade Organization: Purpose and Functions The World Trade Organization (WTO) is one the most vital parts of modern trade. It is an intergovernmental organization, regulating sales across the world.
  • Long-Term Impacts of the Chinese-American Trade War The trade war between the United States and China is one of the main factors of instability in the global economy.
  • Transatlantic Slave Trade: A Legacy That Lives On The Transatlantic slave trade that took place between the 16th and the 19th centuries removed Africans from their homelands and brought them to Americas against their will.
  • Dying and Killing for Ivory: Africa, Asia, & the Global Ivory Trade Given the worldwide increase in crimes against wild flora and fauna, there is a need for closer cooperation between law enforcement agencies through the exchange of information.
  • International Trade During COVID-19 This document provides an analysis of Canada’s politics in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. A review of this country as a fully-democratic state will be provided to introduce it.
  • Investing in the Current Market of Trading Cards The current market of trading cards is experiencing a significant rise as the annual revenues of those collecting them increase.
  • Present Day Resistance Historical Roots to the Trade Globalization The selfish character of economic integration is the primary historical basis for the resistance to globalization.
  • What Is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)? North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trade bloc formed in 1994 to enhance free trade between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
  • Long-Term Impacts of the Chinese-American Trade War and Globalization of the World Economy The globalization of the economy has become a consequence of the increasing embeddedness of national economies into the world economy.
  • Trade Liberalization: Environmental Effects Trade liberalization presents major opportunities, especially to developing nations. New policies allow global trade to create and sustain global economic growth.
  • Free Trade as a Fundamental Principle of Modern Globalization Free trade has become critical in the globalized world by expanding diversity of not just goods, but technology and workforce.
  • Trade Agreements and the Healthcare Industry With the current globalization of trade, the provision of healthcare services is becoming a significant issue that requires the special attention of the professionals.
  • Fair Trade Concept Overview The purpose of this paper is to define the concept of fair trade and to discuss its value to society through the example of organic products.
  • International Trade: Identifying Market Structure Being a monopolistic competition, the U.S. car market can be seen as a rather environment to target. Its structure is multilayered and, with several key organizations.
  • The World of Trade in 1897 by Jules Ferry
  • Atlantic Slave Trade and Its Effect on Africa and the Americas
  • Applying International Trade Concepts Simulation and Economics
  • International Trade: Term Definition
  • World Trade Organization Definition and Tasks
  • Trade in Environmental Goods and Economic Growth
  • Trade Policy Dilemmas in Australia
  • Rodamia: International Trade Simulation
  • United States Trade Deficit Trends
  • Developing States-World Trade Organization Conflict
  • The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery Abolishment
  • Trade Effect on Environmentalism and Poverty
  • Investment Policies, Trade and Debt on India
  • Protectionism or Free Trade as a Ways of Reversing Trade Deficit
  • Trade Unions in France and Spain
  • Employment Contract, Termination and Restraint to Trade
  • Economic Development: International Trade Debate
  • Fighters for the Abolition of the Slave Trade: Olaudah Equiano’s Characteristic
  • World Trade Organisation in the Modern Global Economy
  • International Trade Debate: Discussion of Nuances
  • South Korea as a Country for US Investment and Trade
  • Globalization, the Sex Trade and HIV-AIDS
  • Information Systems in Aurora International Trading
  • A Damned Piece of Rascality: The Business of Slave Trading in Southern Appalachia
  • Encourage Fair Trade in Scotland
  • Ancient Greek Colonization and Trade
  • North American Free Trade Agreement and Employment
  • Multi-Fibres Agreement and Free Trade in Textile Sector
  • Have the Trade Policies of President Donald Trump Increased the Competitiveness of the USA?
  • Bhutan’s Trade and Exchange Rate Policies
  • Medical Devices Trade Agreements for Healthcare
  • Trade Wars: Who Can Stand the Pain the Longest – China or the USA?
  • International Business: Sino-American Trade War
  • The Impact of the U.S.-Mexican Trade War
  • North American Free Trade Agreement
  • HIV Transmission and Syringe Trade-In System
  • Trading Instructions: Primary Source Analysis

✍️ Trade Essay Topics for College

  • Global Trade Slowdown and Protectionism
  • International Trade Benefits for the US Economy
  • Slave Trade and Workforce in American History
  • The Demographic Changes of American Trade Unions
  • Global Political Economy: World Trade Organization, World Bank, and European Union
  • The World Trade Organization’s Controversies
  • Nicaragua’s Overreliance on International Trade
  • Modes of International Trade Payment
  • China Trade Barriers and Their Economic Effects
  • The Political Economy of International Trade
  • Nestlé’s Nescafe Partners’ Blend and Fair Trade
  • Canada’s International Trade Policy
  • North American Free Trade Agreement’s Pros & Cons
  • Water Savings and Virtual Trade in Agriculture
  • Virtual Water Trade and Savings in Agriculture
  • Using Free and Secure Trade to Smuggle Drugs
  • Virtual Water Trade of Agricultural Products
  • Trade Openness and Economic Growth’s Relationship
  • The United Kingdom’s Fair Trade Initiatives
  • World Trade Center Disaster and Anti-Terrorism
  • Foreign Investment and Trade Policy in the US
  • Future Fabrication, International Trade, Transportation
  • Insider Trading Situation in 2017
  • The Fair Trade Concept
  • Economics: Carbon Tax vs. Cap-and-Trade System
  • Carbon Tax and Cap-and-Trade System
  • Gulf States, International Trade and Security
  • Economic Interdependence Theory and Future of Trade
  • China-Africa Trade and Political Relations
  • United Kingdom Trade Union Congress Mobilization
  • Trade Mark Protection in the United States Law
  • Tradable Permit Schemes: Cap and Trade
  • New France’s and the North American’ Fur Trade
  • Transatlantic Slave Trade: Development and Effects
  • The Theme of Trade in the Art
  • Denmark’s Savings and Trade Balance
  • World Trade Organization and Doha Declaration
  • Gardena Flowers and Plants Trading Company Analysis
  • Defending Slavery: Termination of Slavery and Slave Trade in South America
  • US International Trade and Economic Nationalism
  • What Are the Differences Between American and European Trade Unions?
  • What Is the Importance of a Surplus Trade Balance?
  • Does the World Trade Organization Hinder Economic Growth in Developing Countries?
  • Does Trade With Low-Wage Countries Cause a Trade Deficit in the High-Wage Country?
  • What Are the Differences Between Free Trade and Protectionism?
  • Are Trade Unions Necessary in the Present Context?
  • What Are International Trade Law Limitations and Benefits?
  • What Are the Gains From Trade and the Implications for Trade Negotiations?
  • Why the Theory of Comparative Advantage Is the Basis for International Trade?
  • Does Trade With Low-Wage Countries Hurt American Workers?
  • What Are the Objectives of Trade Union?
  • Why Does Canada Have Inter-Provincial Trade Issues?
  • Why Is the Usa So Rich if Its Trade Balance Is Negative?
  • Why Was France Warning the UK for Bitter Trade Negotiations?
  • Why Does the UK Have Such Restrictive Trade Union Laws?
  • Why Doesn’t the Us or UK Devalue Its Currency to Solve Its Trade Balance Problems?
  • What Is the Difference Between Trade Associations and Labor Unions?
  • What Is the Significance of GATT in International Trade Law?
  • What Countries Have Lax Insider Trade Law Enforcement?
  • Do International Trade Laws Apply in France?
  • Why Does the Trade Union Movement, Overall, in Australia, Support the Labor Party?
  • Why Many LEDCs Struggle to Increase Their Balance of Trade?
  • Was Michel Barnier the Wrong Man to Handle the EU’s Trade Negotiations With the UK?
  • Why Does the Democratic Party Wish for Trump to Fail in Trade Issues?
  • What Are the Trade Issues of China in the USA Market?

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StudyCorgi. (2021, September 9). 257 Trade Essay Topics for Students & Trade Project Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/trade-essay-topics/

"257 Trade Essay Topics for Students & Trade Project Topics." StudyCorgi , 9 Sept. 2021, studycorgi.com/ideas/trade-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) '257 Trade Essay Topics for Students & Trade Project Topics'. 9 September.

1. StudyCorgi . "257 Trade Essay Topics for Students & Trade Project Topics." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/trade-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "257 Trade Essay Topics for Students & Trade Project Topics." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/trade-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "257 Trade Essay Topics for Students & Trade Project Topics." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/trade-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Trade were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 9, 2024 .

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International Edition

ScienceDaily

Economist: Tens of billions of dollars in forest products are being overlooked

Are we missing the forest for the trees? More than timber grows in forests -- including products worth many tens of billions of dollars. Because these goods go unrecorded in official trade statistics, their economic value escapes our attention. As a result, clear opportunities to combat poverty are being missed, according to a University of Copenhagen economist.

In the Roman Empire, custom taxes on spices, black pepper in particular, accounted for up to a third of the empire's annual income. And during the late Middle Ages, European efforts to cut out middle men and monopolise the spice trade led to colonization in Asia. Historically, non-timber forest products have frequently played a key role in the global economy.

Today however, non-timber forest products are neglected when the values of forests are recorded in official trade statistics. This applies both in the EU and globally. And it is despite the fact that these products account for a large part of the economies of many countries -- from medicinal plants and edible insects to nuts, berries and herbs, to materials like bamboo and latex.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that annual producer income from non-wood products is US$ 88 billion -- and when the added value of processing and other links in the value chain are included, the value of these products rockets up to trillions of dollars.

According to Professor Carsten Smith-Hall, an economist at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Food and Resource Economics, this is a good reason to begin including forest products like ginseng, shea nuts, acai berries, baobab and acacia gum into global trade accounts.

"We estimate that roughly 30,000 different non-timber forest products are traded internationally, but less than fifty of them currently have a commodity code. We're talking about goods worth enormous sums of money that are not being recorded in official statistics -- and are therefore invisible. This means that the countries and communities that deliver these goods do not earn enough from them, in part because there is no investment in local processing companies," says Smith-Hall, a world-leading bioeconomy researcher. He adds:

"Because we underestimate the role of these goods, we're wasting clear opportunities to combat poverty. These are goods that contribute significantly to food security, health and employment in large parts of the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries."

Carsten Smith-Hall and James Chamberlain from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have written a commentary in the journal Forest Policy and Economics, in which they argue for the great, though yet to be realized, potential.

Adding value

Examples of valuable products that go unrecorded, but are traded in informal markets, are numerous. One of these is caterpillar fungus ( Ophiocordyceps sinensis), a fungus that infects and then erupts from the heads of mummified moth larvae. On the Tibetan plateau and in the Himalayas, people collect the medicinal mushroom that they call yartsa gunbu -- and is also known as the Viagra of the Himalayas -at every opportunity.

"Caterpillar fungus is exported to China, where it is sold as an aphrodisiac and traditional medicine. Rural gatherers can sell it for about €11,500 per kilo. It fights poverty and helps transform local communities. That is, it allows people to send their children to better schools and build new houses. But because the trade goes unrecorded, local communities aren't getting what they could out of the product," says Carsten Smith-Hall.

The professor goes on to explain that the consequence of products like these not appearing in official trade accounts is that they are ignored in important contexts:

"The products are not prioritised when funds are allocated for the development of industries and new technology. This means that many countries are missing out on the huge sums of money involved in the processing of a product in the country where a raw material is harvested. Processing is where you really see value being added to a product."

Another major consequence is that non-timber products are ignored when developing policies for how natural resources should be managed. Though official registries could also serve biodiversity, Smith-Hall points out:

"Many of these products appear on various red lists because they are believed to be overexploited. In such cases, investment may be needed to develop cultivation technology, as opposed to harvesting them in the wild. But when investors and decision-makers aren't aware of the importance of a product, the money ends up elsewhere."

Focus and systematize

According to the researchers, one of the obstacles standing in the way of non-timber products being included in trade accounts today is the overwhelmingly large number of products. It is a concern for which they have advice.

"There is a general perception among researchers and public agencies that there are simply too many products to manage. But if you list the economically important products in a country, ones that are traded in large quantities, you can shorten the list from, for example, 2,000 items to perhaps only fifteen. This lets people know which species to take an interest in and where to better focus research and technological investments. For example, in relation to developing cultivation techniques," says Carsten Smith-Hall.

Furthermore, the researchers recommend establishing systematic data collection at local, national and global levels of the volumes traded and prices fetched. They point out that tools have already been developed for this and could be made more widely available.

"We have a huge untapped potential here that can contribute in tackling extreme poverty and at the same time conserving nature and biodiversity. But this requires us to broaden our horizons and not just maintain the traditional focus on timber as the only important forest resource," Carsten Smith-Hall concludes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NON-TIMBER PRODUCTS

  • Only a very limited number of non-timber product types appear in official trade statistics today. These include coffee, cocoa, rubber, vanilla, avocado and bananas, which are all considered agricultural crops. The researchers estimate that tens of thousands of different non-timber products are traded worldwide which are not included in the statistics. However, the number of economically significant products is much smaller.
  • One study estimates that between 3.5 and 5.8 billion people currently use non-timber products. About half of these users live in rural areas in the Global South, while the other half live in urban areas and the Global North.
  • In the subtropics and tropics, it is estimated that roughly 28% of rural household income comes from non-timber products.

SHEA NUTS AS SAFETY NET

Shea nut oil is a common ingredient in body care products, but is also used in chocolate and other products. Shea nuts are an example of a non-timber forestry product that plays an important role in rural West African communities.

"Shea nuts prevent people from sinking deeper into poverty in Ghana, Burkina Faso and other places. Global demand for them has grown, contributing to local incomes and providing a safety net for people if, for example, their cattle are stolen or there is a sudden death in the family. At these times, many people go out and harvest these nuts to cover sudden income gaps," explains Carsten Smith-Hall.

HOW INVISIBLE TRADE WORKS

"Many non-timber products are harvested by small-scale farmers in the countryside at certain times of the year -- for example, when they are not working in the fields. At these times, they go into the forest to harvest. This makes production relatively hidden. Typically, smallholders then go to the village and sell the goods to a local trader. The trader loads the goods onto a truck, and they are transported to wholesalers, who often export them unprocessed to other countries. However, these long logistics and value chains are also largely invisible," says Carsten Smith-Hall.

  • Agriculture and Food
  • Food and Agriculture
  • Rainforests
  • Markets and Finance
  • Spintronics Research
  • Information Technology
  • Consumerism
  • Resource Shortage
  • Poverty and Learning
  • Old growth forest
  • Deforestation
  • Social inclusion
  • Social inequality

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

  • James Chamberlain, Carsten Smith-Hall. Harnessing the full potential of a global forest-based bioeconomy through non-timber products: Beyond logs, biotechnology, and high-income countries . Forest Policy and Economics , 2024; 158: 103105 DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2023.103105

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    Background International trade and investment agreements can have positive outcomes, but also have negative consequences that affect global health and influence fundamental health determinants: poverty, inequality and the environment. This article proposes principles and strategies for designing future international law to attain health and common good objectives. Argument Basic principles are ...

  19. International Law Guide

    An up-to-date guide to treaty and other public international law research with an emphasis on online resources. ... The Questions/Committees section contains country-by-country reports on specific intellectual property law topics. European Patent Office. U.S. Patent & Trademark Office ... Trade, Investment or Economic Law. GATT Documents Online ...

  20. Trade Law >> globalEDGE: Your source for Global Business Knowledge

    This legal encyclopedia allows users to search for laws relating to international trade or other legal topics. Wex is sponsored and hosted by the Legal Information Institute at the Cornell Law School. ... Users can find research in legal areas such as international trade, anti-trust, intellectual property, electronic commerce, and others.

  21. Trade: Articles, Research, & Case Studies on Trade- HBS Working Knowledge

    The Impact of Technology and Trade on Migration: Evidence from the US. by Marius Faber, Andres Sarto, and Marco Tabellini. Labor mobility can re-equilibrate local labor markets after an economic shock. Both robot adoption and Chinese import competition between 1990 and 2015 caused large declines in manufacturing employment across US local labor ...

  22. The Use Doctrine in Trademark Law: Issues from Trade and ...

    Hence, this paper implicates the prescriptions from the harmonized trade regime, especially trademark law. In doing so, the paper outlines larger public policy concerns that will ensue especially considering the role of the use doctrine in the context of international harmonization of protection of well-known trademarks.

  23. 257 Trade Essay Topics to Write about & International Trade Research Topics

    This paper looks into globalization, international trade, and free trade. American Cuban Conundrum: Trade Relations. The United States of America and Cuba need to come up with strategic plans and actions are handled appropriately to resuming their trade relations. New France's and the North American' Fur Trade.

  24. Trade groups hit at incoming UK Brexit border charge

    Peter Foster in London. April 3 2024. Trade groups have reacted angrily to a UK government announcement that consignments of EU plant and animal products will face charges of up to £145 when ...

  25. School of Law student researches single-use plastics

    There, the 24-year-old presented her research on single-use plastics in the food and beverage industry and worked with the Ecuadorian delegation, focusing on a long-range goal of forming a treaty to end the practice. Jauregui recently prepared a brief for the Ecuadorian government. From rivers to beaches to an educational concentration.

  26. Russian Billionaire Wins Legal Case Against EU Sanctions

    Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800 ...

  27. FCA Consults on Permitting Bundled Payments for Research

    The FCA is proposing to allow asset managers to rebundle payments for third-party research and trade execution. On 10 April 2024, the FCA published its much-anticipated Consultation Paper on ...

  28. Economist: Tens of billions of dollars in forest products are being

    More than timber grows in forests -- including products worth many tens of billions of dollars. Because these goods go unrecorded in official trade statistics, their economic value escapes our ...

  29. Ugandan Court Upholds Large Parts of Antigay Law

    Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800 ...

  30. 7 facts about Americans and taxes

    This sentiment has grown more widespread in recent years: 56% of Americans now say they pay more than their fair share in taxes, up from 49% in 2021. Roughly a third (34%) say they pay about the right amount, and 8% say they pay less than their fair share. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say they pay more than their fair share (63 ...