For a start, I would like to thank Veronika Fikfak for the invitation and initiating this panel. In my brief remarks, I aim to do three things. First, I would like to discuss briefly the development of the relationship between “cities and international law” and consequently the formation of a new research field. I will illustrate this formation by mentioning briefly two projects I am leading with friend and colleague Helmut Aust (Berlin): the ILA Study Group on “The Role of Cities in International Law” and a research handbook on the theme of cities and international law. I will end with some remarks regarding a paper I am currently working on: “The Urban Pushback”. The relationship between cities and international law is complex and multi-faceted. For the purpose of this Conference's Panel, my remarks focus on how international law has become an instrument of cities.

Thank you very much, Gary. Thank you for inviting me today, Julie. I'm going to make four quick points—first of all, that the backlash has a certain sense of historical inevitability but it's fortunately very narrow in scope. Second, that it's not just against trade, which is the conventional wisdom. It's also against misplaced redistribution. Third, that if we are going to aim for more inclusive growth, in the sense that Oonagh spoke about, we need more, not less, globalization. And we also need more, not less, international cooperation, but it will need to take new innovative forms.