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ARTICLE · 25 MARCH 2022

Russia Will Challenge Economic Sanctions At The WTO

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As explained in our recent insight on Canadian Sanctions Targeting Russia, Belarus and Separatist Territories in Ukraine, Russia is facing unprecedented economic sanctions imposed by numerous countries...

GlobalInternational Law
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Jonathan Fried
Jonathan Fried
Jessica Horwitz
Jessica Horwitz
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As explained in our recent insight on Canadian Sanctions Targeting Russia, Belarus and Separatist Territories in Ukraine, Russia is facing unprecedented economic sanctions imposed by numerous countries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has announced that it will challenge those sanctions under the WTO dispute settlement system, arguing that they violate international trade obligations. A successful challenge would mean that the measures would have to be withdrawn and could lead to retaliation by Russia in the form of high tariffs on Canadian exports as well as Canadian services suppliers being shut out of the Russian market. However, WTO law would appear to offer a solid legal defence for Canada should its measures be challenged, permitting Canada (and others) to stay the course on implementing sanctions.

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