Evolution of the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapters in EU FTAs: Reconciling Normative Commitments with Strategic Interests

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Key Points

This research analyzes the evolution of the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters in EU free trade agreements (FTAs) and the driving forces behind these changes.
Examined TSD chapter developments since their introduction in EU FTAs.
Evaluated internal EU discussions on TSD effectiveness.
Compared with US FTA provisions to identify influences on EU policies.
Analyzed recent FTAs, focusing on the EU-New Zealand FTA as a case study.
The TSD chapters have gradually strengthened despite maintaining a basic structure.
There has been an increase in demands for stronger enforcement and binding commitments from civil society and trade unions.
The EU’s normative power is spreading through trade agreements influenced by global standards on labor and environmental issues.
The EU-New Zealand FTA introduced explicit sanction provisions, marking a shift in TSD policy.

Analysis of changes in trade and sustainability chapters in EU FTAs, suggesting implications for global norms.

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Yoo-Duk KANG (2026) studied this question.

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