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International Trade Law and Global Policy: Balancing Economic Growth, Sovereignty, And Sustainable Development in the 21st Century

Beatrice Ezekiel-Hart

Abstract

International trade law has become one of the most significant pillars of globalization, shaping economic relations among states and influencing domestic policies across the world. As global trade expands through technological advancement, regional integration, and multilateral agreements, legal frameworks governing trade continue to evolve to meet emerging challenges. This paper examines the relationship between international trade law and global policy, with particular emphasis on the role of the World Trade Organization , regional trade agreements, trade liberalization, dispute settlement mechanisms, and sustainable development. The paper further analyses the tensions between national sovereignty and international economic obligations, while highlighting contemporary issues such as digital trade, environmental protection, and inequality among developed and developing nations. It concludes that although International Trade Law has significantly contributed to economic growth and global cooperation, reforms are necessary to ensure fairness, inclusiveness, and sustainability in the modern global economy.

Keywords

International Trade LawglobalizationWTOsustainable developmenttrade policyglobal governance.

References

Bagwell, K., & Staiger, R. W. (2002). The Economics of the World Trading System. MIT Press. Bhala, R. (2020). International Trade Law: A comprehensive textbook (6th ed.). Carolina Academic Press. Bossche, P. V. D., & Zdouc, W. (2021). The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press. Brown, C. P. (2022). Trade Wars and the Global Economy. Centre for Economic Policy Research. Charnovitz, S. (2002). Trade Law and Global Governance. Journal of International Economic Law, 5(1), 95–121. Jackson, J. H. (1997). The World Trading System: Law and Policy of International Economic Relations (2nd ed.). MIT Press. Available at https: llir.lawnet.fordham.edu Matsushita, M., Schoenbaum, T. J., Mavroidis, P. C., & Hahn, M. (2015). The World Trade Organization: Law, Practice, and Policy (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. Pauwelyn, J. (2016). Rule-Based Trade 2.0? The Rise of Informal Rules and International Standards. Journal of International Economic Law, 17(4), 739–751 Available at https://doi.org/10.1093/jiel/jgu042 Qureshi, A. H., & Ziegler, A. R. (2019). International Economic Law (4th ed.). Sweet & Maxwell. World Trade Organization. (2024). World Trade Report 2024. WTO Publications.

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