“GUIDELINES
Research
Paper
U.S. trade-related government institutions, statutes, and processes – both political and regulatory – can
have a significant impact on business strategy, both domestically and
internationally. In addition, the implementation of major international trade
agreements (such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the
creation of the World Trade Organization have transformed the trading
environment. Further regional integration is taking place in the Americas
with the negotiation of the FTAA, in Africa with SADC and COMESA, between the
US and the European Union with the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP) and elsewhere with other regional agreements such as APEC
and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the Asia-Pacific area.

Each student will select a large or
small U.S. or non-U.S. company confronting a trade-related challenge from
foreign competitors in its home market, or itself ready to challenge them
abroad. The paper should analyze the nature of the trade-related
challenge and indicate which governmental institutions and processes the firm
should employ to implement its strategy. At a minimum, the paper should
include:

a
brief description of the company, (size, market share, products,
international exposure);
the
major trade challenge facing that company;
the
role of the government(s) and NGOs in the issue; and
recommendations
for a strategy the company can pursue which lays out the pros and cons of
alternative approaches.

For example, one might analyze the
impact (positive or negative) of the WTO and/or the NAFTA on that company’s
business. Such an analysis would address how a company might wish to take
advantage of these agreements, protect itself from the detrimental effects of
these agreements, or alternatively, develop a strategy for how a new round of
WTO negotiations might help a company resolve an outstanding trade problem. The
paper should also address how these same issues might arise in future trade
negotiations.
Papers should be concise; the entire
document should be no longer than 10 double-spaced pages. The report should exemplify
graduate level writing, and include professional-looking graphics where
appropriate for the presentation of data and analysis. Footnotes and
bibliography are required following the style set down in the APA Manual.

What I am writing
about: Company: Chevron

Chevron is the U.S.s second largest oil company. To be, and remain successful, Chevrons focus
is one of long-term commitment and large capital investments. Investment protection is of great concern to
Chevron. With expectations of continued
future expansions, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Agreement is of importance for operating business in other countries. Chevron is looking to take advantage of the
opportunities that this agreement affords, and has hopes that all US Free Trade
Agreements will include these same stipulations. With the TTIP in place, Chevron is able to
look forward to protection of current and future investment endeavors.

Faculty Comment:

I
like your focus on issues related to investment and how these issues will be addressed
within the TTIP. Just be aware that investment protections are also
subject of negotiations elsewhere, most of which have been unsuccessful, so it
will be worthwhile to provide some analysis of why, within the context of TTIP,
coverage of investment may be more successful.
I look forward to reading the result and conclusions of your research.

Some Reference Material:

Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives,
Overview and Compilation of U.S. Trade Statutes, Part I of II., 2010 edition,
111th Congress, 2nd session, WMCP 111-6 [available in reserved readings
and also online at.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-111WPRT63130/pdf/CPRT-111WPRT63130.pdf””>http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-111WPRT63130/pdf/CPRT-111WPRT63130.pdf [hereinafter referred to as “”Overview””]
Note: For students interested in the latest revisions to the
statutes themselves, see.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2013_blue_book_.pdf””>http://waysandmeans.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2013_blue_book_.pdf. But it does not include the nice summary overview; that was
last available in 2010, and it is the Overview which is required reading for
this course.
The Brock Group (1992)The Formulation
and Implementation of U.S. Trade Policy. Washington,
D.C. (available under Course Content).
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.gov/index.asp””>http://export.gov/index.asp
World Trade Organization, (2003)Understanding the WTO, Geneva,
Switzerland..wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/understanding_e.pdf””>http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/understanding_e.pdf

GUIDELINESResearch
PaperU.S. trade-related government
institutions, statutes, and processes – both political and regulatory – can
have a significant impact on business strategy, both domestically and
internationally. In addition, the implementation of major international trade
agreements (such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the
creation of the World Trade Organization have transformed the trading
environment. Further regional integration is taking place in the Americas
with the negotiation of the FTAA, in Africa with SADC and COMESA, between the
US and the European Union with the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP) and elsewhere with other regional agreements such as APEC
and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the Asia-Pacific area.Each student will select a large or
small U.S. or non-U.S. company confronting a trade-related challenge from
foreign competitors in its home market, or itself ready to challenge them
abroad. The paper should analyze the nature of the trade-related
challenge and indicate which governmental institutions and processes the firm
should employ to implement its strategy. At a minimum, the paper should
include:For example, one might analyze the
impact (positive or negative) of the WTO and/or the NAFTA on that company’s
business. Such an analysis would address how a company might wish to take
advantage of these agreements, protect itself from the detrimental effects of
these agreements, or alternatively, develop a strategy for how a new round of
WTO negotiations might help a company resolve an outstanding trade problem. The
paper should also address how these same issues might arise in future trade
negotiations.Papers should be concise; the entire
document should be no longer than 10 double-spaced pages. The report should exemplify
graduate level writing, and include professional-looking graphics where
appropriate for the presentation of data and analysis. Footnotes and
bibliography are required following the style set down in the APA Manual. What I am writing
about: Company: ChevronChevron is the U.S.s second largest oil company. To be, and remain successful, Chevrons focus
is one of long-term commitment and large capital investments. Investment protection is of great concern to
Chevron. With expectations of continued
future expansions, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Agreement is of importance for operating business in other countries. Chevron is looking to take advantage of the
opportunities that this agreement affords, and has hopes that all US Free Trade
Agreements will include these same stipulations. With the TTIP in place, Chevron is able to
look forward to protection of current and future investment endeavors.Faculty Comment:I
like your focus on issues related to investment and how these issues will be addressed
within the TTIP. Just be aware that investment protections are also
subject of negotiations elsewhere, most of which have been unsuccessful, so it
will be worthwhile to provide some analysis of why, within the context of TTIP,
coverage of investment may be more successful.
I look forward to reading the result and conclusions of your research.Some Reference Material:Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives,
Overview and Compilation of U.S. Trade Statutes, Part I of II., 2010 edition,
111th Congress, 2nd session, WMCP 111-6 [available in reserved readings
and also online at.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-111WPRT63130/pdf/CPRT-111WPRT63130.pdf””>http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-111WPRT63130/pdf/CPRT-111WPRT63130.pdf [hereinafter referred to as “”Overview””]Note: For students interested in the latest revisions to the
statutes themselves, see.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2013_blue_book_.pdf””>http://waysandmeans.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2013_blue_book_.pdf. But it does not include the nice summary overview; that was
last available in 2010, and it is the Overview which is required reading for
this course.The Brock Group (1992)The Formulation
and Implementation of U.S. Trade Policy. Washington,
D.C. (available under Course Content).Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.gov/index.asp””>http://export.gov/index.aspWorld Trade Organization, (2003)Understanding the WTO, Geneva,
Switzerland..wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/understanding_e.pdf””>http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/understanding_e.pdf”