U.S. BITs and Financial Stability

Almost immediately after taking office, the Obama Administration charged the U.S. Department of State's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy with reviewing the U.S. model bilateral investment treaty (BIT). The group established a subcommittee of business groups, labor and environmental organizations, and a handful of academic experts and tasked it to make official recommendations for reforming U.S. investment treaties. When completed, the Obama Administration hopes to proceed with official negotiations with China, India, Vietnam, and possibly Brazil.