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International Trade

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For European Union materials see the European Union page.

Documents & Treaties

    Fletcher Multilaterals Project (Trade Treaties)  Texts of international multilateral conventions and other instruments in various fields including commerce and trade.  Most notably are the GATT, Final Act of the Uruguay Round (establishing the WTO), NAFTA, Treaty of Rome, UNCISG, UNCITRAL, and many others.  Searchable. 

    GATT Digital Library 1947-1994This site provides access to documents and information of and about the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), an organization that promoted international commerce and the reduction of trade barriers among member states from 1947-1994. The documents are browseable and searchable, but free registration is required to view the full text.

    Lex Mercatoria & International Trade/Commercial Law Monitor  A comprehensive site housed at the University of Tromso in Norway which includes connections to trade documents, conventions, law resources, international organizations, news sources and technology law, among others.  A good starting point for research on various trade issues.  Well organized and easy to navigate. 

    NAFTA Treaty  An indexed, full-text version of the North American Free Trade Agreement. 

    Organization of American States (OAS) Trade Documents  Full text trade agreements between countries of the Western Hemisphere.  Includes multilateral agreements (e.g., WTO/GATT), free trade agreements (e.g., NAFTA), bilateral agreements, regional scope agreements (e.g., ALADI), customs unions agreements (e.g., Mercosur, Caricom), etc. 

    THOMAS  Named for Thomas Jefferson, this site provides legislative information from the U.S. Library of Congress.  It offers full text of the Congressional Record, links to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate (including email addresses), C-Span (the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network) and the full text of the U.S. Constitution.  Fully searchable.

Government Resources

    Bureau of Economic Analysis From the U.S. Department of Commerce, this site includes information on U.S. GDP, international transactions, personal income, U.S. trade in international goods and services, foreign investment spending in the U.S. and gross state product. 

    Country Information Prepared annually by U.S. embassies, these guides provide a "comprehensive look at countries' commercial environments, using economic, political and market analysis."

    Country Reports:  Economic Policy and Trade Practices  From the U.S. Department of State, these reports "are intended to provide a single, comparative analysis of the economic policies and trade practices of countries with which the United States has significant economic or trade relationships." 

    GLOBUS & NTDB  From the Department of Commerce, you will find here information on current and historical trade-related releases, international market research,  trade opportunities, market and country research and the National Trade Data Bank. 

    International Trade Administration  From the U.S. Department of Commerce, the ITA is responsible for advocating U.S. exports and ensuring equal access by the U.S. to foreign markets.  This is achieved through various programs and working groups including the Trade Information Center, the US Government Export Portal (formerly USATrade) export assistance center, the Trade Compliance Center, and the Import Administration.  Also useful are the sections on hot news, the press room and trade statistics. 

    Office of NAFTA & Inter-American Affairs  Housed at the U.S. Department of Commerce, this site includes web resources and data from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance. 

    Trade Compliance Center  Another site from the Department of Commerce,  the TCC helps US exporters receive the fullest benefits from the more than 200 trade agreements the US has signed.  This site contains a Trade Agreement Database and Market Access Information with reports and country commercial and trade practice guides.  Links to other U.S. and world trade information sites. 

    U.S. Department of State Private International Law Database (PILDB)  Contains an extensive listing of documents, treaties, international projects in progress, trade/business transaction law, family law, rules, model laws and legal guides.  Documents may be viewed online or downloaded at no cost. 

    U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO)  The GPO produces and disseminates printed and electronic publications of the Congress, the executive departments and establishments of the Federal Government.  The database is arranged alphabetically and fully searchable.  The documents are generally available in text and .pdf files (Adobe Acrobat). 

    U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)  The ITC is an independent, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices, such as patent, trademark, and copyright infringement.  The International Economic Review and Industry, Trade, and Technology Review are online and fully searchable.  Also potentially useful are the Industry and Economic Analysis reports and a section dedicated to Section 337. 

    U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)  Part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, OFAC "administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, terrorism sponsoring organizations and international narcotics traffickers based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals."  The site includes information on sanctions in various countries (including Iran, Cuba, Myanmar, et. al.), regulations for banks, importers/exporters, securities, insurance and the tourism industries. 

    U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)  The USTR is a tremendous source for information and insight into the U.S. government's position on international trade issues.  This comprehensive site offers sections on the WTO, trade sectors, trade and the environment, speeches and testimony and text of USTR negotiated agreements.

International and Regional Organizations

    Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

    Comunidad Andina

    Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)  A key site for information on trade in the region with access to quantitative data on member nations, economic reports, business briefings and advisory council information, fora activities, virtual library and useful links to APEC sites in member countries. 

    Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 

    European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

    Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)  This content-rich site includes access to publications and databases with in-depth material on the FTAA negotiating process.

    G-8 Information Centre The "heads of state or government of the major industrial democracies have been meeting annually to deal with the major economic and political issues facing their domestic societies and the international community as a whole....The G7/G8 Summit has consistently dealt with macroeconomic management, international trade, and relations with developing countries. Questions of East-West economic relations, energy, and terrorism have also been of recurrent concern."

    Group of 77  This organization "provides the means for the developing world to articulate and promote its collective economic interests and enhance its joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues in the United Nations system."  The following information is available online for free:  press releases, declarations and action programs, statements and speeches, position papers and its journal. 

    Integration in the Americas  From the European Latin American Business Information Services, this site compiles all official documents and web sites, trade information and reference and research on the Andean Community, CARICOM, the Central American Common Market, Free Trade Area of the Americas, the G3, Latin American Integration, MERCOSUR, NAFTA and the Rio Group.  Some documents available in both English and Spanish. 

    International Finance Corporation  Considered the world's largest multilateral source of financing for private enterprise in emerging economies. Its primary work is to promote the growth of productive and profitable, private enterprises in its developing member countries.

    International Organization for Standardization (ISO Online)  The ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from 130 countries.  They "promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services..."  The site offers information on the ISO series of standards and useful overviews of their processes and the purposes they serve. 

    Japan Economic Foundation  Acts to promote Japan's trade policies abroad in addition to an understanding of the country's economy, industry and trade policies.  From this site, you can access the Journal of Japanese Trade and Industry, which contains full-text articles. 

    Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)  This nonprofit, Japanese government-supported organization is charged with promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between Japan and other nations.  Includes press releases, trade entering Japan, international investment, and research and reports.  A very useful and well-organized site.

    Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI)  This well-organized site includes a listing of weekly press releases (primarily available in Japanese), committee reports, white papers (downloadable in Adobe Acrobat), and a comprehensive statistics database.  Available in both English and Japanese. 

    Keidanren (Japanese Federation of Economic Organizations)

    MERCOSUR Secretariat  This is the official MERCOSUR site.  A detailed resource with treaties, maps and regulations. 

    NAFTA Commission on Environmental Cooperation

    NAFTA Secretariat  This body of NAFTA is responsible for administration of the dispute settlement provisions of the Agreement.  The site includes dispute settlement provisions, procedural timelines, decisions and links. 

    Organization of American States' (OAS) Foreign Trade Information System  This comprehensive site includes full text treaties and trade agreements between Western Hemisphere countries including multilateral agreements (e.g., WTO/GATT), free trade agreements, bilateral agreements, regional scope agreements (e.g., ALADI), customs unions agreements (e.g., MERCOSUR, CARICOM) etc., investment treaties, the FTAA process, quantitative data from countries in the region and information on dispute settlement procedures.  The site is fully indexed, searchable and available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese versions. 

    Organization of American States (OAS) Trade Unit  This comprehensive site includes full text treaties and trade agreements between Western Hemisphere countries including multilateral agreements (e.g., WTO/GATT), free trade agreements, bilateral agreements, regional scope agreements (e.g., ALADI), customs unions agreements (e.g., MERCOSUR, CARICOM) etc., investment treaties, the FTAA process, quantitative data from countries in the region and information on dispute settlement procedures.  The site is fully indexed, searchable and available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese versions.

    Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)  This site is loaded with useful statistical information and links to member and non-member sites.  Their Statistics on External Debt, maintained in conjunction with the Bank of International Settlement, the World Bank and the IMF. 

    Transparency International  An NGO "dedicated to increasing government accountability and curbing both international and national corruption."  This site includes free access to TI's quarterly newsletter and publications, including its widely regarded Corruption Perceptions Index.  There is also a rich collection of full-text working papers, speech transcripts and press releases.  See their list of links to other sites dedicated to fighting corruption. 

    UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)  Especially helpful are their press releases and publications sections. A separate drop-down menu lists UNCTAD project subsites. 

    UN Convention of Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (UNCISG)  Housed at the Pace University School of Law, Institute of International Commercial Law, this site is dedicated to the uniform international sales law.  Includes CISG treaty texts, cases (in a searchable database), scholarly information on CISG and links to other International Trade sites. 

    UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) 

    United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Statistics Division Includes statistical data in categories Demographic and Social, Energy, Environment, Industry, National Accounts, and Trade.

    World Bank's Development Economics Research Group International Trade Division  Here you will find information on international trade as it relates to development and the alleviation of poverty.  The site includes working papers on trade and current research activities. 

    World Trade Centers Association  This site includes information to facilitate companies that wish to expand into international markets.  The World Trade Library includes links to international trade sites on the Web as well as information on particular countries, news and law. 

    World Trade Organization  A quintessential resource for anyone researching international trade issues.  Available in English, French and Spanish, the site is divided into two sections -- Trade Topics and Resources.  The Trade Topics include:  Goods, Services, Intellectual Property, Environment, Development, Policy Review, Dispute Settlements (which includes an overview of current disputes, panel and appellate body reports and adopted panel reports), Government Procurement, Research and Analysis and others.  In the Resources section, you will find news releases, the Uruguay Round Agreements and Trade Statistics.

Internet Resources

    Economic and Competitive Intelligence Site  From Loyola University, this site contains information on economic espionage, competitive intelligence, intellectual property, technology transfer, as well as documents, publications and discussion groups.

    Federation of International Trade Associations   This is a major site for international trade related resources.  See the Index of Web Resources (organized by topic), Trade Leads, and much more. 

    Global Edge Maintained by Michigan State University's Center for International Business Education and Research. This is an extremely comprehensive portal page of business resources.

    GLOBUS & NTDB  From the Department of Commerce, you will find here information on current and historical trade-related releases, international market research,  trade opportunities, market and country research and the National Trade Data Bank. 

    Hieros Gamos  Search for their Business Guides under Publications. 

    Lex Mercatoria & International Trade/Commercial Law Monitor  A comprehensive site housed at the University of Tromso in Norway which includes connections to trade documents, conventions, law resources, international organizations, news sources and technology law, among others.  A good starting point for research on various trade issues.  Well organized and easy to navigate.

    Pace University School of Law Database on the CISG and international commercial law. The CISG is the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, the uniform international sales law of countries that account for two-thirds
    of all world trade.

    TLDB Central Transnational Law Database Searchable definitions of principles of transnational commercial law. "For each principle and rule, the TLDB provides the user with the black letter text and comprehensive references taken from international arbitral awards, domestic statutes, international conventions, standard contract forms, trade practices and usages, other sample clauses and academic sources. All of these sources are, as far as possible, presented in full text versions." 

    Worldtariff.com  This fee-based service offers information on customs duties and tax information for exporters.

    WorldTradeLaw.net Provides a subscription service, Dispute Settlement Commentary, and many excellent links to free material including subject matter pages, dispute settlement reports, GATT/WTO legal texts and frequently used Uruguay Round Agreements. Subscription material is available to users in the Ginn Library.

    WTO History Project History of the protests against the WTO during their meeting in Seattle, Washington in 1999.

News & Publications

Research Institutions

    AmericasNet  This site, sponsored by the Florida International University, includes information on the Summit of the Americas and its relevant documents, FTAA rounds and the Summit of the Americas Center at the University. 

    Federal Trust  Based in the UK,  this site from Europe’s foremost think tank on European integration provides access to many online studies. 

    International Economics Study Center  From Prof. Steve Suranovic at George Washington University, this site is used as an alternative to the traditional textbook.  It includes links to current international trade news stories, a site devoted to the issue of fairness in international trade, preliminary notes for an international finance webtext, and much more. 

    National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade  The organization aims to "develop the legal infrastructure necessary to facilitate the movement of goods, services and investment capital in the Western Hemisphere. The Center conducts comparative legal and transactional studies of the disparate laws, practices and attitudes among countries of the Western Hemisphere desiring to participate in a free trade area."  The site contains the searchable InterAm database, which includes a English-Spanish lists of key legal terminology and phrases, English translations of selected laws and regulations directories, selected case-law and research assistance.  The first 10 downloaded documents per month are free. 

    Public Citizen Global Trade Watch  An independent organization that "fights for international trade and investment policies promoting government and corporate accountability, consumer health and safety, and environmental protection."  The group has lobbied against fast-track authority and the Multilateral Agreement on Investments.  The site includes information on trade with Africa and China, fast track, NAFTA, GATT, etc.