Investment Screening and WTO Law

In recent years, there has been a worldwide intensification in the use of investment screening mechanisms. This surge is connected with political re-orientations, the rise of new economic powers, and security concerns. Despite the considerable effects that investment screening may have on international investment and trade, there is hardly any literature examining the consequences to be drawn from relevant WTO rules for investment screening. However, the importance of WTO law for such instruments is substantial not least due to the broad scopes of application of the GATT and GATS agreements. The risk that screening activities could be challenged before the WTO is underlined by pertinent panel reports. This book in particular uses the 2019 EU Screening Regulation as an example for illustrating the relevance that WTO law has for investment screening. It concludes that in the light of relevant WTO rulings screening activities undertaken for public order and security reasons may face considerable hurdles not least in the general exceptions and security exceptions of the GATT and the GATS.

Erich Vranes is professor of international law, European law, public law and international economic law at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. He is recognised for international publications in international economic law and European law, which is the focus of this book proposal. His other research areas include fundamental questions of international law, systemic issues of international economic law, and legal methodology. Many of his papers have been published by leading international publishers (e.g. Oxford University Press) and international top journals (e.g. European Journal of International Law, Journal of International Economic Law, Journal of World Trade). Professor Vranes has received several research awards as well as the APART scholarship of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Professor Vranes inter alia serves as head of the Institute for European and International Law and deputy head of Department at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.