William & Mary Business Law Review
Abstract
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formed the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to facilitate trade liberalization between the bloc’s members. The ASEAN Member States have continued to implement the agreement according to the dispute settlement mechanism set out in the ASEAN Protocol on Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism (Protocol). However, this Note will argue that the current dispute settlement mechanism (DSM) is inadequate because the panel system does not always provide a final forum for disputes between Member States. A new mechanism is necessary to better adhere to the principles of the ASEAN Charter, strengthen Southeast Asia as a trade destination, and facilitate legal access for firms based in common law countries. This Note, therefore, argues for the establishment of a permanent court system that adjudicates disputes over tariff rates under the principles of the ASEAN Charter as well as the provisions of the ATIGA and the Protocol.