Organizers: Dean Rusk International Law Center, University of Georgia School of Law
Georgia Journal of International & Comparative Law
Cosponsors: Business Law Society, University of Georgia School of Law
Corsair Law Society, University of Georgia School of Law
International Law Society, University of Georgia School of Law
University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs

International trade law is at inflection point. Until quite recently, international trade agreements appeared to be moving along a relatively predictable trajectory. Reforms and changes were discussed and negotiated, but mostly along the margins of a supposed consensus about the general direction of the field. Political events of the past year, though – Brexit, the United States’ abandonment of TPP, calls to renegotiate NAFTA, accelerating negotiations of RCEP, and China’s roll out of its One Belt One Road initiative, among others – have challenged that trajectory and sent policymakers and trade lawyers in search of a new trade compass.

A new period of negotiation and renegotiation, however, is on the horizon. While this is a source for many of anxiety, it is also an opportunity for progress, reform, and creative thinking. This conference will bring together top scholars and practitioners in the field to discuss the directions forward for international agreements. What should be on the table as old agreements are reopened and new ones are negotiated? What changes are needed to adapt trade agreements to new economic and technological realities? And how can the next generation of trade agreements respond to globalization’s discontents?

Schedule of events

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2017
Monday, September 18th
9:00 AM

Introductory Remarks

Peter B. Rutledge, University of Georgia Law School
Kathleen A. Doty, University of Georgia School of Law

Larry Walker Room, Rusk Hall

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

9:15 AM

Setting the Negotiating Agenda

C. Donald Johnson, University of Georgia School of Law, Emeritus
Kathleen Claussen, University of Miami School of Law
Nicolas Lamp, Queen's University, Faculty of Law
Timothy Meyer, Vanderbilt University Law School

Larry Walker Room, Rusk Hall

9:15 AM - 10:45 AM

11:00 AM

Pluralism/Regionalism/Fragmentation

Antonia Eliason, University of Mississippi School of Law
Markus Wagner, University of Warwick School of Law
Robert Howse, NYU School of Law
Harlan G. Cohen, University of Georgia School of Law

Larry Walker Room, Rusk Hall

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

12:45 PM

Industry Roundtable Luncheon Conversation

Ling-Ling Nie, Pansonic North America
Stewart Moran, Carter's, Inc.
Travis Cresswell, Coca-Cola Company
Christopher M. Bruner, University of Georgia School of Law

12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

2:30 PM

Changing Dynamics in Global Trade Negotiations

Gregory Shaffer, University of California, Irvine School of Law
Mark Wu, Harvard University Law School
Padideh Ala'i, American University Washington College of Law
Tina Termei, Amazon

Larry Walker Room, Rusk Hall

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

4:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Victoria A. Baker, University of Georgia School of Law

Larry Walker Room, Rusk Hall

4:00 PM - 4:05 PM