GATS

Global retail corporations are aiming to use international trade agreements to challenge local land use and zoning regulations, according to an alarming new report from Public Citizen. 
"Any local laws that apply height and size restrictions to big box retailers that impacts a foreign service operation could constitute a GATS market access violation," Public Citizen reports. .......

Meanwhile, representatives of foreign retailers with stores in the U.S., including Ikea, Aldi, Royal Ahold (which operates supermarkets like Stop & Shop and Giant), have identified local land use policies as trade barriers. ........

The GATS is administered by the WTO, a global commerce agency made up of 149 countries. Under its rules, a country, perhaps acting on behalf of a particular retailer, could challenge the laws of a city or state in another country. The case would be decided by a WTO tribunal made up of appointed judges. The city or state would not have any right to participate in proceedings, which would be held behind closed doors, out of view of both the press and the public. .......

 http://www.newrules.org/retail/news_slug.php?slugid=328

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