Michael Woods Interviewed on the Special Challenges Faced by Trade Negotiators
Recently Michael Woods was interviewed by the South China Morning Post and asked about the complexities of international trade negotiations in the light of his own GATT and WTO experience. He was quoted on his experience early in the China GATT/WTO Accession talks. The article is freely available at:...
read moreConsidering International Trade Law – Indigenous Perspectives & Possibilities – March 19th at the University of Ottawa
Michael Woods is scheduled to participate on a panel discussion on Indigenous perspectives and international trade law at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law on March 19, 2019. His participation reflects his ongoing involvement in the field as a member of the executive of the International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO) and the Global Affairs Canada Indigenous Working Group which advised the Government on Canada’s international trade agenda. Michael will be joined...
read moreNew Term for Michael Woods on Algonquin College’s Program Advisory Committee
Michael Woods’ appointment to the Ottawa-based Algonquin College’s Program Advisory Committee (PAC) on International Business Management has been renewed and he looks forward to serving another two-year term. He was originally named to the PAC in 2016. The committee includes leaders from the international trade community, government, academia, and the private sector who advise the College’s faculty designing and defining the continuing development of the College’s International Business Management Programs. Michael attended the most...
read moreWoods, LaFortune LLP Chairs Session on Iran Sanction at Toronto Forum on Economic Sanctions Compliance & Enforcement
Michael Woods has been invited to chair a panel on that will examine the implications of the recent divergence between U.S. sanction regulations on Iran and those of Canada and the European Union as a result of U.S. withdrawal from 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (P5 + 1”). The conference, which is to be held in Toronto from September 24-26, is being organized by the Canadian Institute in collaboration with the American Conference...
read moreWoods, LaFortune LLP Chairs CBA Webinar on the Intersection of International Trade Law and Aboriginal Law
Michael Woods will serve as chair for the September 12, 2018 Intersection of International Trade Law and Aboriginal Law: Key concepts and recent developments, an upcoming Canadian Bar Association (CBA) webinar that will feature some of Canada’s leading experts in international trade law and aboriginal law. Vital issues including inter-tribal trade and the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) will be examined. Michael has devoted much time...
read morePossible Canadian Safeguard Action Against Steel Imports: Steel Importers, Distributors Consumers and End-Users Should Take Action
Canadian firms that import, distribute, or use steel and Canadian consumers who buy products that contain steel should pay close attention to the Government of Canada’s announcement that it is considering safeguard action, including the possibility of provisional safeguards, against imports of steel plate, concrete reinforcing bar, energy tubular products, hot-rolled sheet, pre-painted steel, stainless steel wire, and wire rod imported from all countries. In most cases, if safeguard measures are adopted, duties or...
read moreSteel, Aluminum, and the WTO’s Pandora’s Box – Part IV – More Analysis at Slaw.ca
The Government of Canada has finalized its countermeasures in response to U.S. Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum products: https://www.fin.gc.ca/access/tt-it/cacsap-cmpcaa-1-eng.asp https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn18-08-eng.html https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d16/d16-1-1-eng.html Canada also announced support measures for the industries affected by the U.S. tariffs: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2018/06/support-for-canadian-steel-and-aluminum-workers-and-industry.html In the next few weeks, Michael Woods will be writing a series on the current state of Canada –U.S. trade on Canada’s online legal magazine Slaw.ca. Founded in 2005, Slaw is Canada’s largest co-operative legal publication attracting...
read moreMichael Woods Re-elected to FITT Board
On June 28th the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) confirmed that Michael Woods has been re-elected to serve a fourth term on the organization’s Board. FITT is a Canada based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing international business training, resources and professional certification to individuals and businesses. It offers the only international business training programs and related professional designation (CITP/FIBP) endorsed by the World Trade Centers Association and the Government of Canada. Michael is...
read moreThe Trade Law Division’s 25th Anniversary – Canada’s Public Service Excellence
Both Gord LaFortune and Michael Woods had an opportunity to celebrate their trade law roots with over 150 old colleagues and a new generation trade lawyers as the Government of Canada’s Trade Law Davison celebrates its 25th anniversary on June 22, 2018. In 1993 the Department of External Affairs and International Trade (now Global Affairs Canada) and the Department of Justice (now Justice Canada) created the joint unit made up of lawyers from both...
read moreCanada-EU – Old Ties, New Trade Partners
The following column was co-authored by Michael Woods and Gordon LaFortune and published today on Slaw.ca. For Canadian business, the threat of U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA is the biggest and most immediate challenge. Without progress that satisfies the U.S. Administration, the current NAFTA negotiations may end with the U.S. issuing a Notice of Withdrawal that starts the six month clock on formal U.S. withdrawal from the Agreement and the market uncertainty that will likely...
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