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. Inaddition, the implementation of major international trade agreements (such as the NorthAmerican Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the creation of the World Trade Organizationhave transformed the trading environment. Further regional integration is taking place in theAmericas with the negotiation of the FTAA, in Africa with SADC and COMESA, between theUS 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 traderelated challenge from foreign competitors in its home market, or itself ready to challengethem abroad. The paper should analyze the nature of the trade-related challenge andindicate which governmental institutions and processes the firm should employ toimplement its strategy. At a minimum, the paper should include:a brief description of the company, (size, market share, products, internationalexposure);the major trade challenge facing that company;the role of the government(s) and NGOs in the issue; andrecommendations for a strategy the company can pursue which lays out the prosand cons of alternative approaches.For example, one might analyze the impact (positive or negative) of the WTO and/or the NAFTAon that company’s business. Such an analysis would address how a company might wish to takeadvantage of these agreements, protect itself from the detrimental effects of these agreements, oralternatively, develop a strategy for how a new round of WTO negotiations might help acompany resolve an outstanding trade problem. The paper should also address how these sameissues 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 graphicswhere appropriate for the presentation of data and analysis. Footnotes and bibliography arerequired 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 focusis one of long-term commitment and large capital investments. Investment protection is of greatconcern to Chevron. With expectations of continued future expansions, the Trans-Atlantic Tradeand Investment Partnership (TTIP) Agreement is of importance for operating business in othercountries. 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 theTTIP in place, Chevron is able to look forward to protection of current and future investmentendeavors.Faculty Comment:I like your focus on issues related to investment and how these issues will be addressed withinthe 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 toreading the result and conclusions of your research.Some Reference Material:Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, Overview and Compilation ofU.S. Trade Statutes, Part I of II., 2010 edition, 111th Congress, 2nd session, WMCP 111-6[available in reserved readings and also online at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT111WPRT63130/pdf/CPRT-111WPRT63130.pdf [hereinafter referred to as "Overview"]Note: For students interested in the latest revisions to the statutes themselves, seehttp://waysandmeans.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2013_blue_book_.pdf. But it does not include thenice summary overview; that was last available in 2010, and it is the Overview which is requiredreading 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 http://export.gov/index.aspWorld Trade Organization, (2003) Understanding the WTO, Geneva, Switzerland.http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/understanding_e.pdf
