Introduction

This article explores the rationale behind the development of bilateral trade and investment agreements as measures of state action. In examining the arguments in support of such bilateral agreements, it scrutinizes the virtues and deficiencies associated with each. It concludes by considering whether bilateralism contributes to the development of principles and standards governing multilateral trade and investment. The proliferation of bilateral trade and investment agreements has helped to fill lacunae in a multilateral trade process that is impeded by the impasse of ...