Author
Dr Vesna Lukovic
Organisation/Institution
Independent Researcher
Country
GREECE
Panel
International Regulation of Trade
Title
What can the World Trade Organization (WTO) do with regard to geopoliticisation of trade for security reasons vis-à-vis the “good old” trade protectionism?
Abstract
The new reality of foreign investment screenings, increased tariffs and other trade protectionist measures indicate that the world has moved to a new era of economic protectionism. In recent years the argument called “essential security interests” that is an exception to free trade under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) has been increasingly used in international trade. Recently there has also been the rise of a similar term, called “economic security interests”. The aim of this paper is twofold: first, to examine both arguments that are also associated with a particular type of trade restrictions, called the dual-use regime which is applied to products that can be used in both, consumer-type and military-type of use. Second, the aim is to look at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its legal framework to enforce the rules-based system of international trade. The focus in this paper is on relations between the European Union and China. The methodology is largely qualitative, but it also includes the analysis of relevant data on international trade. The finding is that despite the fact that the WTO is the key international body responsible for the global rules of trade, it cannot do much with regard to geopoliticisation of trade for “essential security interests” or “economic security interests”.
Biography
Career history: 2018-present Independent Researcher, Thessaloniki, Greece 2008-2017 Bank of Slovenia, Senior Analyst, Analysis & Research Department, Ljubljana, Slovenia 2006-2007 Research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and CASE partner at the University of Sheffield, UK 2005-2006 Luton Borough Council, Environment and Regeneration Unit, New Deal for Communities' Assistant, Luton, United Kingdom 2004-2005 Work and study within the postgraduate Learn and Earn Award for MSc. in Computing and Information Technology, University of Bedfordshire, UK, cofunded by the European Social Fund through the British Government 2003-2004 Study for postgraduate Diploma in Applied Economics and Data Analysis at the University of Essex, Department of Economics, UK 2002 USAID (United States Agency for International Development), Senior Macroeconomist, Mission in Kosovo, Kosovo 2000 Ministry of Finance, Government of Slovenia, Senior Advisor to the Government, Ljubljana, Slovenia 1993-2000 Ministry of Economic Relations and Development, Government of Slovenia, Advisor to the Government, Ljubljana, Slovenia 1992-1993 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department for International Relations,Ljubljana, Slovenia Professional qualifications: 2017 PhD, EU law, European Faculty of Law, Nova Gorica, Slovenia 2005 MSc., Computing and Information Technology, University of Bedfordshire, Department of Computing and Information Systems, Luton, UK 2004 PgDip (Post-graduate diploma), Applied Economics & Data Analysis, University of Essex, Department of Economics, Colchester, UK 2000 Master's degree (MIA, Economic Policy Management), Columbia University, New York City, USA (World Bank scholarship) 1997 BSc. Economics, University of Maribor, Economics & Business School, Slovenia
