The International Law Section invites you to attend the fifth lecture of the ILS International Law and Practice Course 2025. Be inspired by Professor Markus Wagner as he shares his expertise on international trade relations and government and industry responses to the evolving international legal challenges in the area.

International trade and geopolitics are now deeply intertwined: governments weaponise trade to advance strategic interests and reshape the global order. The Trump administration’s shifting tariff policies and aggressive use of legal instruments continue a decisive shift away from multilateral norms, further eroding the utility of the WTO and the relevance of international institutions. 

This new era – characterised by power dynamics rather than legal principles – raises questions about the future of global trade governance, the viability of dispute resolution, and the capacity of middle powers such as Australia to position themselves in a new, far more uncertain trade world. It creates challenges for businesses that need to adapt to a changing and more unpredictable environment.