Investment Protectionism and Free Trade

The speaker emphasizes the importance of free trade and investment, opposing protectionism due to its negative impact on business and freedom. They predict a rise in international investment disputes and highlight the need for updated rules and systems. The ICC has revised its guidelines to address modern investment challenges, focusing on transparency, intellectual property, and non-equity investments. Corporate social responsibility and sustainability are also emphasized. The conclusion stresses the need for more international investment agreements to cover the existing stock of foreign direct investment, highlighting the stakes for economic and personal freedom.

What is the speaker's stance on free trade?

• Opposed to free trade

• Only in favor of imports

• Only in favor of exports

• In favor of both exports and imports

Why does the speaker oppose protectionism?

• It hinders business and limits freedom

• It promotes job growth

• It increases profits

• It enhances international relations

What trend is observed in investment protectionism?

• Only developing countries are imposing restrictions

• No change in restrictions

• Increase in restrictions, especially in developed countries

• Decrease in restrictions

What role do developing countries play in international investment?

• Only involved in inbound investment

• Only involved in outbound investment

• Major players in both inbound and outbound investment

• Minor players

What is the purpose of revising the ICC guidelines?

• To update principles for modern investment challenges

• To focus solely on developed countries

• To create new rules

• To eliminate all guidelines

What new protections are included in the revised ICC guidelines?

• Protections against non-tariff barriers and performance requirements

• Protections only for developed countries

• No new protections

• Protections against all forms of trade

What is emphasized in the new chapters of the ICC guidelines?

• Corporate social responsibility and sustainability

• Increased tariffs

• Focus on developed countries

• Elimination of all guidelines

What is the current coverage of international investment agreements?

• Covers all foreign direct investment

• Covers two-thirds of foreign direct investment

• Covers only developed countries

• Covers only developing countries

How many additional treaties are needed to cover the remaining stock of foreign direct investment?

• 20,000 treaties

• 14,100 treaties

• 5,000 treaties

• 1,000 treaties

What are the stakes of increasing trade and investment according to the speaker?

• Only economic benefits

• Only political benefits

• Both economic and personal freedom

• No significant benefits