Pure Business, Law Enforcement or Sheer Politics? The EU’s WTO Complaints against Chinese Export Restrictions on Raw Materials. EU Diplomacy Paper 06/2013

In light of the growing international competition among states and globally operating companies for limited natural resources, export restrictions on raw materials have become a popular means for governments to strive for various goals, including industrial development, natural resource conservation and environmental protection. For instance, China as a major supplier of many raw materials has been using its powerful position to both economic and political ends. The European Union (EU), alongside economic heavyweights such as the US, Japan and Mexico, launched two high-profile cases against such export restrictions by China at the WTO in 2009 and 2012. Against this background, this paper analyses the EU’s motivations in the initiation of trade disputes on export restrictions at WTO, particularly focusing on the two cases with China. It argues that the EU's WTO complaints against export restrictions on raw materials are to a large extent motivated by its economic and systemic interests rather than political interests. The EU is more likely to launch a WTO complaint, the stronger the potential and actual impact on its economy, the more ambiguous the WTO rules and the stronger the internal or external lobbying by member states or companies. This argumentation is based on the analysis of pertinent factors such as the economic impact, the ambiguity of WTO law on export restrictions and the pressure by individual member states on the EU as well as the role of joint complaints at the WTO and political considerations influencing the EU’s decision-making process.

The elements of business law : with illustrative examples and problems /

Mode of access: Internet.

Story case-business law ...

Previously pub. under title: Business law--case method.

McMaster's commercial cases for the banker, treasurer and credit man : current business law from the decisions of the highest courts of the several states.

"Founded by J.S. McMaster."

600 business law points for the business man, banker, lawyer, professional man, and farmer.

Mode of access: Internet.

The elements of business law : with illustrative examples and problems /

Mode of access: Internet.

Maxims on health, business, law, policy, and mind /

Mode of access: Internet.

American business law, with legal forms,

Mode of access: Internet.

Business law of engineers,.

Mode of access: Internet.

McMaster's commercial cases.Current business law from the decisions of the highest courts of the several states.

Mode of access: Internet.

Business law; a working manual of every-day law,

Paged continuously.

Law-enforcement activities affecting small business : report of Subcommittee No. 1 on Law Enforcement and Subsidies Affecting Small Business, to the Select Committee on Small Business, House of Representatives, Eighty-fifth Congress, second session, pursuant to H. Res. 56 .

"Union calendar no. 1144."

Law of the real estate business.

Mode of access: Internet.

Teaching business students law by virtual means

In this article from the Spring 2008 issue of Directions Odette Hutchinson (Birmingham City University) details her experience introducing video lectures to first year business students studying the English legal system as part of a business law pathway.