About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

1 1 (January 13, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govegiu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the Iegitive debate since 1914 Updated January 13, 2022 Environmental Provisions in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Linkages between trade and environmental protection have long been a concern to some U.S. policymakers and stakeholders. The central question is whether trade liberalization (i.e., the removal of barriers on the exchange of goods and services between nations) advances shared economic and environmental goals. Some observers argue that economic expansion brought on by trade liberalization adversely affects the environment. Among other concerns, they contend that international competition may lead developing countries to adopt less stringent environmental standards to encourage producers to relocate from jurisdictions with more stringent environmental standards. Thus, some observers argue that environmental provisions are necessary in trade agreements to help raise international environmental standards and protect U.S. businesses and workers. Other policymakers and stakeholders believe that trade liberalization and environmental protection can be mutually supportive. They argue that while economic growth may adversely affect the environment during the initial stages of industrialization, it can also provide resources to mitigate such effects as countries develop. They also argue that trade liberalization can support U.S. environmental goals through the elimination of tariffs on environmental goods, and the reduction of trade-distorting subsidies, among other actions. Trade-related environmental provisions in U.S. FTAs were first introduced in a side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994 (NAFTA). Through the years, they have moved from side agreements to integral chapters within U.S. FTA texts, and increasingly have incorporated cooperation and dispute settlement (DS) mechanisms. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush instituted the practice of conducting an environmental assessment of trade agreements in conjunction with the consideration of NAFTA, and President Clinton formalized the practice by executive order in 1999. In the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210), Congress included environmental provisions as a principal trade negotiating objective in renewing the President's Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. Since then, the United States has been at the forefront of using trade agreements to promote core environmental protections. Additional negotiating objectives were incorporated into the Bipartisan Comprehensive Trade Priorities Act (TPA) (P.L. 114-26), enacted into law on June 29, 2015. Environmental provisions in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) were, in part, based on these negotiating objectives. The GATT and the WTO Mechanisms to address environmental protection have been a part of international trade agreements since the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was signed in 1947. While the GATT does not contain affirmative environmental commitments, its Article XX lays out a number of general exceptions to its provisions-including exceptions for natural resources and protection of human, animal, or plant life, and public health-that could allow for environmental policy measures. Since its establishment in 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO)-the successor to GATT-has addressed environmental issues through its dispute settlement system and through Doha Round negotiations concerning the relationship between existing WTO rules and international environmental treaties, known as multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). There has been much focus on the use of GATT/WTO dispute settlement and there have been nine Article XX cases on environmental issues to date. In addition to the WTO's Doha Round, WTO members are also negotiating the reduction or elimination of fisheries subsidies. A plurilateral group of WTO members engaged in negotiations to eliminate of tariffs on environmental goods, such as wind turbines or solar panels. However, these negotiations appear to be in limbo. Environmental Provisions in U.S. F TAs Although the WTO has played an important role in global environmental discussions, bilateral and regional FTAs have also addressed environmental policies. FTAs commonly include more detailed provisions than the WTO on trade-related issues, such as the environment. A brief evolution of these provisions is outlined below. Current Key Environmental Provisions in U.S. FTAs A party shall Not fail to effectively enforce its environmental laws in a manner affecting trade and investment. Not waive or derogate from environmental laws to promote trade or investment. Adhere to certain multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Develop mechanisms to enhance environmental performance. * Retain the right to exercise the reasonable or bona fide exercise of discretion in enforcement. Other provisions include Enforceable dispute settlement and consultations. Cooperation and trade capacity building. Environmental Affairs Council. Source: CRS.

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most