As imports grow, more and more destructive wood-eating pests hitchhike into the country. So it has consistently chosen weaker protective standards than necessary for the wood shipping crates and other packing materials that harbor insects such as the Asian long horned beetle. When the USDA finally issued emergency rules to stop the Asian long-horned beetle after the Chicago outbreak, Hong Kong immediately threatened to file a complaint with the WTO that could override the new safeguards. My second example illustrates how trade rules could undercut the efforts of states to set tough environmental standards that exceed federal standards. In 19XX., Wisconsin adopted a moratorium on new mines in the state.
Mines have a poor track record in Wisconsin.
Moreover, citizens were concerned about new mining investment. In response to the threat from mines, Wisconsin voters fought for and won a ten year moratorium on mine construction until such time as the governor could prove that mines can operate without enviormental damage. The suits are heard by a kangaroo court of trade lawyers in Paris. There is no due process and no appeal. If the federal government is sued by Canadian mining companies, the government could turn around and sue Wisconsin unless we rolled back our moratorium.