Michael Woods – Director on FITT Board 2008-2021
In June 2021, Michael Woods completed his fourth term and final term on the Board of Directors of the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) [ | Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) (fittfortrade.com) ]. FITT is a Canada-based not-for-profit (NFP) organization dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. It provided the only international business training programs and related professional designation (CITP/FIBP) endorsed by both the World Trade...
read moreMichael Woods to Host a Indigenous Law and Policy Session on September 30, 2021
On September 30, 2021, Michael Woods will host and moderate the fifth offering in an online educational series on aspects of Indigenous international and inter-tribal trade. The series is offered the International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO). Michael is a founding member of IITIO and is active in the work of promoting Indigenous participation in international trade. He is member of the Government of Global Affairs Canada’s Indigenous Working Group (IWG). [ http://www.wl-tradelaw.com/practice-areas/indigenous-trade-and-investment/...
read moreMichael Woods Invited to Participate in APEC Policy Dialogue on Indigenous Economies
The APEC Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Co-operation has invited Michael Woods to attend a policy dialogue on Understanding and Valuing Indigenous Economies within APEC. APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is a 21- member intergovernmental forum dedicated to promoting economic growth, and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The purpose of the March 3, 2021, virtual conference is to review the findings of an APEC report on Indigenous economies and how they can contribute to...
read moreGlobal Affairs Canada – Indigenous Working Group
On December 11, 2020, Michael Woods participated in the most recent meeting of Global Affairs Canada’s Indigenous Working Group (IWG). As part of its commitment and inclusive approach to trade Global Affairs established the IWG in September 2017 in order to better engage with Indigenous Peoples and their representatives during the NAFTA renewal negotiations that lead to the Canada-U.S.-Mexica Agreement (CUSMA). Michael participates in the IWG as a founding member of the International Inter-tribal...
read moreCETA – Third Annual Civil Society Forum
Michael Woods was honoured to be invited to participate in the third edition of the Civil Society Forum, established under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The event was held on December 8th and 9th. The Civil Society Forum (CSF) is a joint initiative of the Government of Canada and the European Union that provides an opportunity for important dialogue and exchange of views between Canadian and EU representatives from employers, unions,...
read moreChina and the CPTPP – Comments by Michael Woods
At the recent virtual APEC Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated openness in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) [Xi says China will consider joining TPP – Nikkei Asia]. To many, this underlined China’s aspirations to play a larger economic role – both in the Asia- Pacific region as well as globally. Michael Woods was interviewed on the subject by the South China Morning Post earlier this year [ Michael...
read moreCOVID-19 and the Risk of Foreign Investor Challenges
Michael Woods was quoted in the September issue of the Canadian Bar Association’s online magazine, National, about concerns that the global COVID-19 pandemic might lead to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims aimed at government measures put in place in response to the challenge. Michael has experience form both the government and investor perspective and has served as counsel in several ISDS cases pursuant to NAFTA Chapter 11 as wells as Foreign Investment Protection Agreements...
read moreMichael Woods quoted in South China Morning Post on China and the CPTPP
Michael Woods was interviewed with respect to China’s recent expression of interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The article can be found at this link:...
read moreCanada should consider the Economic Impact of Imposing AD/CV Duties on Imports and should start with OCTG
Canadian practice has been to consider Anti-dumping/Countervailing measures (AD/CV) measures exclusively from the perspective of the domestic industry that filed the dumping complaint and ensure that any injury to this industry is offset using AD/CV duties. However, this approach does not necessarily take the best interests of the Canadian economy as a whole into consideration. That practice should stop and Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) is the product that calls out for this change....
read moreProving FTA preferential tariff eligibility: The evidentiary burden in Canada
Jean-Marc Clément Counsel, Woods LaFortune Montréal, Canada As is the case with most free trade agreements, importers simply claim preferential tariff eligibility at the time of import. This claim can later be subject to verification by the customs administration in view of determining if it was valid. Proving preferential tariff entitlement requires assembling and presenting relevant facts and documents that support the claim. But just how much evidence is necessary in order to discharge...
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