The Role of Labour Standards as trade Defense Instruments for the European Union
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.21.2024.93.13Keywords:
Trade, European Union, labour standards, defence instrumentsAbstract
European trade in the 21st century has undergone significant changes due to EU enlargement and global production shifts, especially towards Southeast Asia. In response, global actors like China, India, and the US have adjusted their trade strategies, engaging with the EU not only through WTO mechanisms but also addressing non-trade issues (NTIs) beyond WTO regulations. These changes have politicized EU free trade agreements (FTAs) and preferential trade agreements (PTAs), as the EU seeks to export its regulatory framework on NTIs such as environmental protection, human rights, and labor standards. While some argue that the EU’s regulatory influence is limited, others suggest its long-term objectives in promoting domestic policy changes internationally remain significant. The European Commission plays a key role in advancing these agreements, balancing trade defense tools like anti-dumping procedures with the promotion of EU standards abroad. This article explores the role of NTIs, especially labor standards, in shaping EU trade policy and its future implications.
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