International Trade Law Article Critique

Total Length: 650 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

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MEAs and the WTO

"the Relationship between the Dispute-Settlement Mechanisms of MEAs and those of the WTO."

As awareness of the importance of the environment has become more widespread, nations have entered into agreements which are intended to protect and maintain the world's environment. These Multilateral Environmental Agreements, or MEAs, are international agreements in which a number of nations agree to certain environmental protections. Examples include agreements like the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, or the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These MEA's sometimes involve international trade, and thus overlaps occurs between the MEA's and the organization designed to enforce international trade agreements, the WTO. While many MEA's have their own dispute resolution mechanisms, or the means by which member nations resolve disagreements over the MEA, there sometimes also exists an overlap between the dispute resolution mechanisms of the individual MEA and the regulations of the WTO. Alexandra Gonzalez-Calatayud and Gabrielle Marceau, in their paper "The Relationship between the Dispute Settlement Mechanism of MEAs and those of the WTO," discuss the possible conflicts as well as their recommendations for resolution.


The authors begin their analysis with a discussion of the nature of MEAs and the WTO, and how it is possible for their interests to overlap. The main difference between the two seems to be that the WTO has an organized system in place by which disputes can be settled and MEAs tend to have individual articles by which to settle disputes. While the authors appear to compare the two systems, throughout the article they are clearly pointing out the advantages of the WTO system over that of any MEA. Their discussion of the timing of the two settlement systems is a clear argument in favor of the WTO over an MEA, as the WTO's organization is clearly presented as more efficient. They also assert that the fact that international courts and other MEA mechanisms are not as….....

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"International Trade Law", 14 July 2011, Accessed.4 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/international-trade-law-118074