New Trends in Global Trade Governance International Business Program Spring 2022 Semester CEA & UPF Hybrid - Barcelona

A transformation of incredible speed and depth is occurring in the governance of global trade. The institucional landscape issued in the aftermath of WWII, based on the idea of multilateralism and that placed the WTO right in the center of the picture, seems to get reached a deadlock. The emergence of new actors such as the PRC or China, along with the many issues related to the daily functioning of the decision-making process of the WTO may partially explain the current stage. In the same vein, the change in attitude of other key global players such as the US has also to be put into the equation. In addition to that, the internal problems in the EU (Brexit, leadership,...) do not allow the bloc to play the steering role that many were expecting. Critical changes are happening in the global trade governance, which will ultimately shape the world of tomorrow. And it is even more true now with the uncertainty that stems from the post Covid-19 scenario.

This course is intended to prepare students to understand better this changing scenario. In so doing, the course is designed as a polyphonic, choral work in which experts in the different subjects, from different universities, will be involved under the coordination of the professor in charge of this core course.