MJIEL Vol 18 Iss 1 - Editorial
Communication Flows in International Economic Law:
2021 and the Dawn of a New Economic Era?
 
Since the end of 2020 and the beginning of this year, the world is digesting a number of important events that have heralded a sense of cautious optimism in the international economic system. First, the instability in Europe caused by Brexit is behind. The EU and UK have signed a trade and cooperation agreement that will govern their relationship in the foreseeable future.1 Second, the WTO saw finally the appointment of its Director-General to give it leadership in the form of the first African, and woman, Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in February 2021. This US delayed and US facilitated appointment now must live to its expectations. Third, in December 2020, the EU and China signed in principle the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. A far cry from the US/China trade war that still simmers. Fourth, the United States re-instated itself in February 2021 in the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Fifth, in November 2020, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement was signed, bringing together the largest economies in the far east. Finally, in January 2021, the African Continental Free Trade Area became operational, in freeing trade within the continent. All of these developments have been set against the back-drop of the new Biden administration’s affirmation of a multilateral approach to international relations; and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Asif H Qureshi
Editor-in-Chief

Please Sign in if already registered Subscriber.

Or

Please Register and make the necessary subscription payment to activate your account.

Adobe Reader