International Economic Negotiation

1. DESCRIPTION:
International economic negotiations represent an important framework for international business
transactions. This course aims to address key issues in the international global economic agenda,
and the challenges for policymakers, trade negotiators, entrepreneurs and NGOs. Students will
analyze issues such as the role of developing countries in international trade negotiations, the use of
economic data in international negotiations, the importance of global goals such as the transition to
a green economy and sustainable production and consumption and key multilateral negotiations,
including the liberalization of services, and environmental goods and services. The course also
discusses issues associated with Colombian trade policy, in particular, its participation in trade
disputes and its leadership in regional and multilateral economic negotiations.
2. GENERAL OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
• To analyze the decision-making process in international economic negotiation.
• To identify key actors and issues in international economic negotiations.
• To analyze factors influencing dynamics and outcomes of key international economic
negotiations, including and trade disputes.
• To evaluate critically the role of Colombia in multilateral trade negotiations and to identify
challenges for its business and investment environment.
• To analyze the links between trade/economic negotiations and the pressing need of sustainable
development (e.g., the transition to a green economy and sustainable patterns of production and
consumption).

WEEK 1: Course Introduction
Specific Objectives:
To present the contents of the syllabus, objectives, readings, methodology, rules of the course,
evaluation and research project.
Readings: None
WEEK 2: The Study of International Economic Negotiation
Specific Objectives:
To analyze the dynamics, actors and issues involved in international economic negotiations. To identify
the linkages between this type of negotiations and issues such as development, environmental protection
and labor rights.
Topics
 The World Trading System and the WTO as a negotiation forum.
 Negotiating trade and other parallel issues.
Readings:
Bayne, Nicholas, and Stephen Woolcock, The New Economic Diplomacy: Decision-making and
Negotiation in International Economic Relations (Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. 2011), Chapter 2. (Available
through Google books)
Tortora, Manuela, ‘What Does It Take to be an International Economic Negotiator? (Conference Paper,
EAFIT 2007),’ 2007, 20.
Learning Strategies/ Assessment
Lecture and in class discussion
Hot seat/review 1 (Susana Naranjo)
Explanation and selection Project proposal
Recommended readings
Ruggie, John Gerard, ‘International Regimes, Transactions, and Change: Embedded Liberalism in the
Postwar Economic Order’ (2009) 36 International Organization, 379.
World Trade Organizations, World Trade Report 2013 ‘Factors Shaping the Future of World
Trade’ < http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/wtr13_e.htm>
World Trade Organization, ‘Understanding the WTO’ (available online in PDF document)

4/1
WEEK 3: Economic Diplomacy
Specific Objectives:
To understand how state actors, conduct their international economic relations and how they negotiate
with each other internationally. This module also addresses the role of non-state actors in the different
stages of the decision-making process associated with international economic negotiations.
Topics:
 Scope of Economic Diplomacy
 Multi-level decision-making process and consultation
 Negotiation and Stakeholder involvement.
 Principles of Good Governance
 Trade Policy Instruments and Interests in International Economic Negotiations
 Colombia in Multilateral Trade Negotiations (DDA Negotiations)
Readings:
World Trade Organization, Managing the Challenges of WTO Participation, Case Study 28 “Mexico’s
Agricultural Trade Policies: International Commitments and Domestic Pressure” (Isidro MoralesMoreno)
Learning Strategies/ Assessment
In class discussion (case study –Managing the Challenges of WTO Participation)
Hot seat/review team 2 (Santiago Jaramillo)
Presentation 1 Project proposal
Recommended readings
Bayne, Nicholas, and Stephen Woolcock, The New Economic Diplomacy: Decision-making and
Negotiation in International Economic Relations (Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. 2011), Chapter 3. (Available
through Google books)
Putnam, Robert D, ‘Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of Two-Level Games’ (no date) 42,
427.
The WTO: Economic Underpinnings (multimedia presentation)
< http://www.swisslearn.org/wto/module4/e/start.htm
UNCTAD, Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy
.aspx>
5/1
WEEK 4: Forum: The Use of Information in International Economic Negotiations
Specific Objective
To identify key information sources and databases that can be useful for the planning of international
economic negotiations. Students will be able to use such information sources in order to support
strategies to interact in a forum at INTERACTIVA.
Topics
 Reliable information for International Economic Negotiation
 Official Sources
 The problem of asymmetric Information
Resources:
• International Trade Centre, Market Info & Tools < http://www.intracen.org/itc/market-infotools/>
• World Trade Organization, World Trade Statistical Review 2016
• < https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/wts_e.htm>
• World Trade Organization, World Tariff Profiles 2014
• < http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/world_tariff_profiles14_e.htm >
• World Trade Organization, Trade Profiles 2014
• < http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/trade_profiles14_e.htm>
• World Bank Group, Doing Business 2017, Equal Opportunity for All
•
• OECD Catalogue of Databases < http://data.oecd.org/>
• International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
• The Atlas of Economic Complexity (by Harvard University)
Learning Strategies/ Assessment: Student participation in the virtual forum INTERACTIVA.
WEEK 5: Workshop ‘The Bali Package and the Trade Facilitation Agreement: Challenges for
Developing Countries”
Specific Objective
To analyze the challenges in the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, particularly for
developing countries. This module addresses key issues highlighted in the World Trade Report (2015).
During this workshop, participants will discuss a series of questions provided by the lecturer.
Reading:
World Trade Organization, World Trade Report 2015 ‘Speeding up trade: benefits and challenges
of implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement <
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/world_trade_report15_e.pdf
Learning Strategies/ Assessment: Workshop 1 and Presentation 2 Contextualization of the Agreement
and identification of case study.
6/1
WEEK 6: ASIA WEEK COLOMBIA IN ASIA PACIFIC; TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH THE
REGION
Keynote speaker: Martin Gustavo Ibarra, CEO Araújo Ibarra & Asociados S.A “Opportunities for
Colombia and the Pacific Alliance with the FTAs diplomacy in the new international arena.”
Topics
 Colombia in the regional integration arena: the Pacific Alliance
 FTAs diplomacy: opportunities and challenges
Reading: None
Learning Strategies/ Assessment: Assistance to conference and one page report on the topic.
WEEK 7: Negotiating Issues Related to Trade in Goods
Specific Objectives
To analyze seminal issues in market access negotiations (tariff and non-tariff measures). Students will
be familiar with the concept of ‘schedules of concessions on goods’ and key principles stemming from
multilateral trade agreements such as GATT and recent developments in multilateral trade negotiations
under the Doha Development Agenda (Doha Round).
Topics
 Negotiating tariff and non-tariff measures
 Quantitative restrictions
Trade liberalization vs. the right to regulate
 Work Committee on Market Access
Reading
Van Den Bossche, P & Zdouc W., The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization,
3rd Edition (Cambridge University Press, 2013) Chapters 6 and 7 up to page 530.
Lang, Andrew,World Trade Law After Neoliberal
7/1
Topics
 Multilateral Services Negotiations and the General Agreement on Trade in Services
(GATS)
 Key Areas of Services Negotiations
 The four modes of supplying services
 Challenges for Colombia in the negotiation of services
Reading
Van Den Bossche, P & Zdouc W. The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization, 3rd
Edition (Cambridge University Press, 2013) Chapter 7 (pages 531–535).
Bouzas, Roberto and Soltz, Hernán, Argentina and the GATS: A Study of the Domestic Determinants
of GATS Commitments (Case 2, World Trade Organization, Managing the Challenges of WTO
Participation) < https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/casestudies_e/case2_e.htm>
Recommended readings
WTO, Services Negotiations < http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/s_negs_e.htm>
Learning Strategies/ Assessment:
In class discussion
Hot seat/review 4 (Kelly)
WEEK 9: Non-tariff barriers and societal goals: how to manage regulatory diversity in trade
negotiations?
Specific Objectives
To analyze the scope of non-tariff barriers in the implementation of international trade agreements. This
module addresses the tensions between trade liberalization and societal goals (e.g., environmental
protection, food safety and public health, product quality and consumer protection). Students will be
familiar with sensitive issues for developing countries in relation to the implementation of technical
standards and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Particular significance will be placed on negotiations
and discussions among WTO Members (e.g., within the TBT Committee).
Topics
. Product Standards
. Most common Non-Tariff Barriers
. TBT and SPS measures
Reading
WTO, International cooperation on non-tariff measures in a globalized world, ‘World Trade
Report 2012. Trade and Public Policies: A Closer Look at Non-Tariff Measures in the 21th Century’
(WTO 2012), 160-219
8/1
Recommended readings
Kysar, Douglas, ‘Preferences for Processes: The Process/Product Distinction’ (2004) 118 Harvard
Law Review, 525.

World Trade Organization, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
ex_e.htm?id=A19#selected_agreement>
World Trade Organization,Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
ex_e.htm?id=A22#selected_agreement>
Learning Strategies/ Assessment: In class discussion and Hot seat/review 5 (Christina)
WEEK 10: Coloquio Asia Pacifico
Presentation of the research advances in the Coloquio Asia Pacifico at EAFIT University in front of the
judges and public in general.
WEEK 11: Managing the challenges of Intellectual Property Rights and the TRIPS Agreement
Reading
World Trade Organization, Managing the Challenges of WTO Participation, Case Study 3
‘Rock ‘n Roll in Bangladesh: Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in Music’
Christian
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

Learning Strategies/Assessment: In class discussion (case study–Managing the Challenges
of WTO). Hot seat/review 6 (Christian)
WEEK 12: Workshop: Trade Disputes and the Role of the International Negotiator
Specific Objectives
To understand the idea of the ‘two level game’ within international trade disputes, in particular, the role
of the private sector as the main demandeur of governmental action. Students will analyze the
importance of negotiation skills when avoiding or starting international trade disputes.
Topics:
 WTO Dispute Settlement System
 The importance of the consultation stage
 Differences between trade and foreign investment disputes
 Avoiding trade disputes
 Trade disputes as non-market strategies
9/1
Reading:
DISPUTE DS502 Colombia — Measures Concerning Imported Spirits
< https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds502_e.htm>
World Trade Organization, Dispute Settlement< http://wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm>
Learning Strategies/ Assessment In class discussion (DISPUTE DS502 Colombia —Measures
Concerning Imported Spirits) and workshop 2.
WEEK 13: FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION-RESEARCH PAPER
6. EVALUATION
 10% Hot seat/review: weeks 2, 3, 7, 9 and 11
10 % Forum discussion: week 4
20 % Workshops: weeks 5 and 12
10% Presentation in Coloquio Asia Pacifico: week 10
 35 % Student’s presentations: weeks 3 (10%), 5 (10%) and 13 (15%)
 15 % Research paper: week 13