I spent the holidays in Washington. The city changed a bit, it became quieter. Despite the fact that the city escaped the Storm of 2010, people seemed inclined to stay indoors. I decided to take advantage of the lighter days by hitting up the Smithsonian. Specifically, I trekked on over to the American Art Museum so that I could see one particular exhibit before it left on January 2, 2011: Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The byline at the exhibit reads: “Telling Stories is the first major exhibition to explore in-depth the connections between Norman Rockwell’s iconic images of American life and the movies.”

Out of the entire collection, The Boy Reading Adventure Story, found in the The Saturday Evening Post, November 10, 1923 (oil on canvas, 30 x 24 in.), was my favorite. From the collection of George Lucas, a small explanation below the painting read: Lucas commented, “It’s a painting celebrating literature, the magic that happens when you read a story, and the story comes alive for you.” When working on Star Wars, he said, “I realized that you could still sit and dream about exotic lands and strange creatures.”

I loved the painting because over the holidays it became somewhat difficult to escape chatter about the 2011 economic predictions. Media reports did not portray the year 2010 kindly. Perhaps it had more to do with which news outlet you watched. From my end, it seemed that news outlets paid their interns to dissect the various causes of economic strife, and focused on what was left missing from a viable and sustainable recovery. While the uneasy economy dominated 2010 headlines, we did manage to move forward and upward to a new year. I think there was plenty to feel tense about, and I admit that some issues carry forward.

Unemployment rates continue to be high, and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies face the uneasy task of promoting stable prices and maximum employment. However, the incredible backlash to QE2 makes me wonder at the next steps; will the problems only increase? For example, will further quantitative easing weaken the American dollar and only put upward pressure on prices of foreign assets?

There is more adding to tensions in the air. I wonder at the damage from the WikiLeaks disclosures. Will such results only undermine the ability of foreign affair professionals to do their jobs? I would be extremely curious to learn how such released cables will affect those who work at the State Department in 2011, and what guidance Washington will provide as possible options for the future.

Despite underlying tensions and threats of a “trade war” between China and the United States, I think that a lot of this was media hype. However, there are antidumping and countervailing duty actions and WTO disputes to deal with in 2011. During the break, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) filed a WTO dispute settlement consultation with China over alleged subsidies relating to domestic wind power manufacturers. The USTR investigation was initiated on October 15, 2010, by a petition filed by the United Steelworkers (USW) under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. According to the USTR, the investigation was initiated to address “allegations relating to a variety of Chinese practices affecting trade and investment in the green technology sector, including not only prohibited subsides but also export restraints, discrimination against foreign companies and imported goods, technology transfer requirements, and domestic subsidies causing serious prejudice to U.S. interests.” This process is different from a Section 421 case, (see the recent December 13, 2010 circulated WTO Panel Report, United States–Measures Affecting Imports of Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tyres from China) or an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation, which can result in a unilateral imposition of relief or duties on the imported products. Adding to my curiosity is the potential response from China. Recall that when the United States imposed tariffs on Chinese tyres, China responded by launching trade remedies on American cars, chickens and filing its own WTO complaint.

Despite these few examples, the 111th Congress ended with quite a bit of post-election lame duck action: a repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy on gays in the military, ratification of the new START treaty with Russia, a major food safety bill, an extension of tax cuts and unemployment benefit extensions, and approval of medical benefits for the 9/11 rescue workers. I marvel at the prospects for bipartisan cooperation during the 112th Congress. Only time will tell how a new Republican House majority will play a role in fashioning the next tasks and agreements on issues such as, economic recovery, massive problems of deficits and debt while balancing such actions with tax reform, education and renewable energy.

Even when discussing an economic analysis of subsidies to conclude how a subsidizing WTO Member should modify a questionable measure to bring it in conformity with WTO rules, the analysis always bounces back to sub-layers that involve public interest and politics. I think 2011 may be about that balancing act. I think one of the most important challenges facing international law is how to balance public interests, and principles that protect investment and obligations to the environment and society.

That’s why I loved the Norman Rockwell collection so much. Most of Rockwell’s work was created during wartime. His work did not pretend to fix all of the problems Americans faced that day. Yet, when the newspaper headlines depicted woes and strife, his paintings evoked unity and hope. I think that is why he often painted children, so as to remind people about that great adventure book or graduation day pride. Looking at his work up close, I believe he took incredible care to focus on every small detail. He created a narrative that shows the greatness of many American values and connects the adventures of growing up with learning how to continue to find ways to hold on to the little kid in each of us. Walking through the collection, I could not believe how so much story could fit in one single frame. He brought many ideas to light in his paintings. On a cold and windy day in December, the room was filled with all sorts of people; an audience of all ages, backgrounds and economic makeup. Everybody was grinning and chatting about what Rockwell would think of today’s society. I was in the market for a new topic of conversation for the close of this year’s growing pains. It was a nice way to prepare for 2011.