The Pursuit of Non-Trade Policy Objectives in EU Trade Policy

Abstract The European Union (EU) often conditions preferential access to its market on compliance with Non-Trade Policy Objectives (NTPOs), including human rights and labor environmental standards. In this paper, we first systematically document the coverage of NTPOs across main tools EU trade policy: (association non-association) agreements Generalized System Preferences (GSP) programs. We then discuss extent which can use these as a ‘carrot-and-stick’ mechanism promote in trading partners. argue that, within agreements, has limited scope extend or restrict tariff preferences ‘reward good behavior’ ‘punish bad NTPOs, partly because multilateral rules require members eliminate tariffs substantially all trade. By contrast, GSP are granted unilateral basis, thus more easily be extended limited, depending NTPOs. Our analysis also suggests that commercial interests inhibit full pursuit