Contemporary International Trade

About

The course offers a general introduction to the World International Trade Law (WTO Law) and EU trade perspectives.

The course offers an introduction to international trade, thus, exploring the structure, principles, main WTO Agreements shaping international trade within the WTO and the challenges that emerged during the COVID Pandemic.

Analyzing non-discrimination principles embodying GATT, GATS, the TRIPS Agreements will enable students to understand the functioning and challenged of international trade in times of crisis.

The WTO has provided the framework for liberalization of trade, in this course you will learn: 1, about the interaction between the EU and WTO; and 2. the forced or challenge evolution of international trade during the pandemic.

The study of the relationship between WTO and EU will consist of the analysis of the status of the EU in the WTO, and the legal effect of WTO law in the EU.

Contents:
International trade system:

- What is international trade?
- WTO structure
- WTO System
- WTO- EU interphase
- Challenges emerging during the COVID pandemic

Methods: Lectures, group work and take-home exam.

Date: 1 August – 30 August. Contact teaching in Turku 4 August – 15 August 2025. The start and/or finish of the course is completed online. 20 contact hours → Hybrid mode.

https://turkuabosummerschool.utu.fi/course-selection/contemporary-international-trade/

Course leader

University of Turku

Target group

Selection:
- minimum 2 years of completed Bachelor’s studies in any field of study.
- a motivation letter written in English explaining why the student is interested in the course, what they expect to get out of it and how they plan to use what they have learnt in their future life.

Course aim

The student will be able to

- analyze current issues for the liberalization of trade, EU, and the WTO
- critically understand the multilateral trading system
- have a broad knowledge about international trade and the interplay across the different actors taking part in international trade

Fee info