Multilateral and Bilateral International Trade Negotiations and Dispute Settlement
Troutman Sanders International Trade Group has expertise in representing and advising governments and industries in bilateral and multilateral negotiations. We have been active in negotiations with the United States on behalf of foreign governments, industries and multinational corporations.
Our experience has garnered unique insights into the strategies and approaches of different nations around the world.
In addition to negotiations, we can help clients resolve disputes arising under agreements. Our attorneys have successfully represented and counseled governments, industries and multinationals in trade disputes under key multilateral and bilateral agreements. We have assisted in achieving our client’s goals in a variety of disputes, including dumping, subsidies, customs and intellectual property in a wide range of sensitive industry sectors, such as textiles, steel and automobiles.
Multilateral Negotiations
Troutman Sanders’ multilateral negotiating experience predates the Uruguay Round. For example, prior to the Uruguay Round, members of the International Trade team advised foreign governments regarding terms of accession to the Antidumping and Subsidies Codes of the GATT.
As counsel for foreign manufacturers, our attorneys advised foreign governments in the shipbuilding negotiations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). We also advised Latin American manufacturers in sensitive textile negotiations under the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA).
Bilateral Negotiations and Dispute Settlement
Members of the team have participated in (or advised clients during) a host of bilateral trade negotiations. Our experience primarily involves negotiations on behalf of foreign governments and industries sitting across the table from the United States, as well as representation in bilateral dispute settlement proceedings against the United States. Our experience includes:
- Regularly advising foreign governments and private entities on bilateral negotiations in the politically charged steel sector, including both rounds of negotiations on the Voluntary Restraint Arrangement (VRA) on steel and more recent informal bilateral discussions with the United States on steel;
- Advising Brazilian automobile manufacturers during Brazil's investment dispute with the United States involving the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures;
- On behalf of the Government of Venezuela and a leading Venezuelan steel producer, negotiating an unprecedented agreement to suspend antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of Venezuelan steel wire rod into the United States; and
- Advising the Republic of Argentina on behalf of private Argentine industry interests with respect to the negotiation of a Bilateral Investment Treaty with the United States and, prior to the formation of the WTO, regarding Argentina's bilateral subsidies agreement with the United States.
- Representing several Canadian softwood lumber producers in NAFTA Chapter 19 Binational Dispute Settlement Proceedings challenging U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty determinations.
Troutman Sanders International Trade Practice Group has the experience and expertise to advise governments and corporations in all aspects of negotiations leading to multilateral and bilateral trade agreements.
We can develop and implement negotiating strategies, including conducting the actual negotiations or serve as advisors. Equally important, we can ensure that trade agreements, once reached, actually are implemented.