The Forum on Democracy & Trade : Investment

International Investment Agreements (IIAs) provide greater rights to investors than the scope of rights defended in domestic courts.

The text of IIAs signed by the U.S. has evolved over the past decade, and foreign investors still enjoy greater rights than U.S. investors.

The pending case of Glamis Gold v. U.S. illustrates how international investment agreements work.

Congress will consider a totally new template for investment agreements in 2009. What are the policy options?

Expansive readings of investor rights in a number of disputes have caused some Latin American countries to take a second look at the IIA system.

State Supreme Court justices have spoken out on the 'no greater rights' issue. So have Governors, State Attorneys General, and State Legislatures.