Collection of materials online – learning course
Latin American Perspectives on Free Trade
The so-called free trade is intended to increase prosperity and growth worldwide; At least we hear this again and again from European politicians, neoliberal economists and in the media.
Trade agreements are presented as having no alternative, ‘partnerships on an equal footing’ being praised in response to global crises. But from whose perspectives are we talking?
From the countries of the Global South, from Africa, Asia and Latin America, we hear in Europe, if at all, mostly only the voices of the governments. On the other hand, representatives from academia, trade unions, peasant agriculture, indigenous movements or organisations that stand up for fair global trade are hardly heard. We want to change that.
Green, fair and in partnership?
Based on an online learning course already conducted in Latin America, Powershift has therefore cooperated with the Lohana Berkins educational centre and with the support of ATTAC Germany, AndersTrade Austria, CLATE, Fair World Trade Network, News pool Latin America and the Plataforma América Latina Mejor sin TLC held a five-week online course in November 2025, the materials of which we are now making available to all.
Course materials and topic blocks
Translated from Spanish and enriched with additional background information, the course materials offer the opportunity to get to know a Latin American perspective on the free trade agenda and the associated trade agreements of the last 25-30 years.
What impact did these have on working conditions and social human rights such as access to drinking water, energy and food in Latin America? What did the agreements mean for food security and industrial capacity building? What conclusions do organizations from Latin America draw after more than 25 years and could it be different from their point of view?
You can find out more in five thematic blocks:
1. Basics of the current trading system
Overview of trade and investment agreements with Latin America and other existing partnership agreements
PDF Basics of the current trading system
PDF Exclusive corporate rights vs. human rights
Further links and video materials
- Introduction by Luciana Ghiotto:
Video Course introduction - PowerShift:
Scolly Page EU trade agenda in Latin America - Manuel Perez Rocha on ISDS:
Video Investment Protection and ISDS
2. Social human rights
Trade agreements and access to energy, water, health and education
PDF Social Human Rights Health
Related links
- Jocelio Drumond:
Video Free trade and public services - Jorge Coronado:
Video Free Trade Agreements and State Budgets - Lorena Di Giano:
Video Free trade agreements and access to medicines - PowerShift ¡BASTA! – Episode 8:
Video Trade agreements and care work
3. Only for export?
Consequences of trade agreements for food sovereignty and biodiversity in Latin America
PDF Only for Export? Consequences of trade agreements
Related links
- Lecture by Antonio Andrioli at the AbL:
video The EU-Mercosur trade agreement - PowerShift ¡BASTA! – Episode 5:
Video Mother Earth's End - Trade, Agriculture and Women - PowerShift with partner organizations from Peru, Colombia and Ecuador:
Video Consequences of free trade with the EU – lessons learnt from Peru, Colombia and Ecuador - PowerShift:
Info poster “Only for Export”
4. Your raw materials, our energy transition?
Commodity Partnerships, Global Gateway and Green Industrial Policy in Latin America
PDF Your raw materials, our energy transition?
Related links
- PowerShift:
Study on Claims and Exploitation – Europe’s strategy for safeguarding raw materials - Heinrich Böll Foundation:
Factsheet Raw materials from Latin America - Felipe Gutiérrez on the energy transition:
Video Global Gateway and Raw Materials - PowerShift ¡BASTA! – Episode 3:
Video Experience II: the EU-Chile Agreement
5. A good life for whom?
Prospects for Fair Trade in a Partnership World
PDF Challenges, alternatives and next steps
Related links
- Attac:
Study time for a new vision. Alliance for an Alternative Trade Mandate - Esperanza Martínez:
Video The Ecosocial Pact for the South - Patricio López:
Video Spaces of Resistance in Chile and Beyond
The course was funded by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL with funds from the Federal Ministry for Development Cooperation and LEZ
