Introduction

Towards the end of the 1980s, international interest in the links between trade and the environment grew significantly. A major factor contributing to this interest was a dispute between the United States and Mexico over American trade restrictions on imports of Mexican tuna. The United States believed Mexico was taking insufficient precautions to prevent the accidental catching of dolphins, and therefore placed an embargo on Mexican tuna in 1990. Mexico protested against this measure, claiming that the US-imposed sanctions were not compatible with either international law or the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) rules.