Free trade in economic crisis
The financial and economic crisis that began in 2008 led to a massive expansion of government support in favor of the industries affected by the crisis. Such government support offers the possibility of a protectionist orientation, from which domestic companies particularly benefit.
Against this background, the author considers in his treatise the compatibility of the US economic stimulus package enacted in 2009 with selected rules of WTO law.
The WTO Subsidies Agreement and the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement are used as a benchmark for reviewing measures of this economic stimulus package, the so-called "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009".
In addition, the author evaluates the two named WTO agreements under further aspects, including economic justification, legitimacy and sustainability.