What have we learned and how is EU trade policy to cope with new challenges?

Abstract

The EU is in a prime position in trade but faces an onslaught of challenges where a weakened open trading order, recent shocks with impacts on the international economic system (the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, climate change), geopolitics and changing globalization patterns combine. This article (and special issue) takes stock of what we have learned and summarizes how EU trade policy copes with new challenges. It brings together the different perspectives on global cooperation and trade, deep trade agreements, EU deep trade agreements and the lessons from CETA, the EU’s Trade and Sustainability Chapters, and the European (economic, social, environmental) model.