Law and Economics of EU Trade Policy

This class is an interdisciplinary class exploring from a law and economics perspective the key rules regulating EU trade policy. In the foundational part (18 hours in total), it will explore the key economic theories of trade, the key principles of WTO law and the role and action of the EU by looking at both institutional and substantive aspects of EU Trade law. The three lessons (for a total of 6-Hours) taught by Professor Sapir will focus on discussing three key and recent topics in EU trade policy.
The class is an interdisciplinary class aiming at discussing the law and economics of trade liberalization and the key rational and economic effects of trade policy instruments as well as the interaction between the EU and the WTO trade law regimes. The class will aim to cover unilateral and preferential trade instruments, covering aspects of trade in goods, trade in services, trade and domestic regulations and if time permits investments

This course aims to provide a comprehensive discussion of the economics of trade liberalization, the legal discipline of the WTO and the interplay between law and economics in this area. The students should be capable to understand the basic concepts and instruments of trade law as well as the main challenges of EU trade policy.

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

None.

Lectures. The last class (probably taking place in April in the evening 18:00 to 20:00) will propose to put in practice key principles of law studied in class by exercising on moot court fictional cases. 

Active participation is expected. Students are expected to read documents and cases before class so as to contribute to class discussions.

During the foundational course, it will be given to students the opportunity to make an optional group presentation. Those students making an optional group presentation will be able to gain one or two additional points to the exam depending on the quality of their presentation. Topics for the optional group presentations will be posted on the Université virtuelle prior the start of the class

Contribution to the teaching profile

The class contributes to the knowledge of EU Economic Law, looking at how trade is regulated and impacts markets. It also contributes to the knowledge of EU External Relations, looking at the EU as an international actor. The class also contributes to the acquisition of law and economics methodology.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

The class does not follow one single textbook. A syllabus with complete bibliography will be available on Université Virtuelle before the class. Slides will also be posted on the Université Virtuelle.

Basic References:
Krugman/Obstfeld, International Economics, 2017 
Mavroidis, Trade in Goods (2nd edition 2012, Oxford University Press
Mitsuo Matsushita et al., The World Trade Organization: Law, Practice, and Policy (3rd edition 2015), Oxford University Press
Philippe Musquar, Politique Commerciale de l’Union Européenne (2020), Larcier
C. Hermann and P. Trapp, EU Trade Defence Law and Practice: An introduction (2023), Springer

Course notes

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Professors:
Laura Puccio (Laura.puccio@ulb.be) - course coordinator
André Sapir (asapir@ulb.be)

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• written examination

written examination

During the First Exam Session, which takes usually place in May/June, the exam is a written take-home exam. The take-home exam is usually divided in three parts (an economic question, a WTO law question and a third part covering EU law questions related to institutional and substantive law aspects). Exam questions are received via email on a Saturday morning at 10:00 and you have until 10:00 of the next day to finalise the questions.

If a student fails the written exam, an oral exam can be organised during the second exam session taking place in August. Students desiring to re-sit their exams are expected to contact Professor Puccio to determine the date and time for the oral exam. The oral exam takes place via Teams in order to allow foreign students to re-sit their exam from their home-country. As for the written exam, also the oral exam covers the three part of the course: the economics of trade, WTO law and EU law (institutional and substantive aspects). Questions are sent 20 min before the start of the oral exam to allow the student to prepare the reply. The oral exam lasts circa 30/45 min.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Each exam covers the three parts of the course: WTO law, EU law and Economics of trade.
One or two bonus points can be given if the student has done a group presentation.

Language(s) of evaluation

• english