INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1. Westland, Beadland, Highland and Lowland are all members of the WTO. There has been a steady increase of imports of solar panels from Beadland and Highland to Lowland accounting for 40% of all domestic sales of solar panels. Westlands export of solar panels has been very low, accounting for about 1% of domestic sales in Lowland. The domestic industry that produces solar panels in Lowland has become very vocal in the media agitating for the imposition of bans or higher tariffs and taxes on imported solar panels. Lowlands bound tariff for solar panels is 10% of the value of a solar panel. There are elections to be held in `less than six months and the solar panel industry has threatened to finance the opposition Lowland Peoples Party (LPP) if the ruling Lowland Peoples Alliance (LPA) fails to comply with its demands. In a hastily convened cabinet meeting the government of Lowland has adopted a new trade policy with respect to imports of solar panels from Westland, Beadland, and Highland. The measures are as follows.

1. The new tariff on imports of solar panels from Beadland and Highland is 20%.
2. The tariff on imports of solar panels from Westland is 10%.
3. The VAT on the purchase of locally produced solar panels is 5%.
4. The VAT on the purchase of imported solar panels is 6%.

Advise the governments of Westland, Beadland and Highland on the merits or demerits of Lowlands measures with respect to consistency with WTO law.

2. The Kingdom of Mordo is a member of the WTO. The new government in Mordo has adopted a new trade policy as it believes its trading partners are cheating in their conduct of international trade. The following policies have been adopted by the government of Mordo.

1. Because Mordo is an English-speaking country, all imported and domestic products must have their product literature/labels in English. Even if the product literature/label is in another language, it must have an English translation.
2. All products from Sundiata and Pelos must pay a flat tariff of 15% for exports to Mordo. Sundiata and Pelos are not members of the WTO
3. In order not to discriminate among WTO members, for all products, irrespective of their origin, as long as they originate from a WTO member country, they are required to pay a tariff of 20%.

Advise the Government of Mordo regarding the possible consistency or inconsistency of its trade policies with WTO law.