Trade policy with a focus on Latin America

In recent years, the European Commission has concluded or is preparing trade agreements with countries in Latin America. We have looked at various agreements and give an overview of their impact on people, our nature and the climate. Trade agreements are often touted by the European Commission with great promises, while civil society mostly expresses serious concerns. Therefore, in our publications, podcasts, events and videos, we investigate whether the hopes associated with the agreements have been or will be fulfilled: Could people's prosperity and economic diversity be increased, or have the agreements led to more inequality and environmental problems? What changes are needed to ensure solidarity-environmental trade? In doing so, we come to the conclusion that...

...the objectives and core elements of the agreements now being pursued are in direct contradiction with the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement, food sovereignty and respect for human rights and animal welfare.

For a livable future for all, a 21st century trade model must support efforts to create socially just and environmentally resilient societies based on, rather than undermining, the principles of solidarity, the protection of human rights and our planetary boundaries.

We see a strong need for improvement in particular in the following areas:

• Consolidated complaints
• Sustainability of trade agreements
• Protection of human rights
• Reconciliation of climate protection and international trade
• equitable trade with countries of the Global South