The EU-MERCOSUR Agreement as source of development of specific global norms and standards

The chapter analyses if and how the EU-MERCOSUR Agreement can be a means for the EU to assert itself as a global norms-maker. The instrument at stake is one of the “second generation” EU trade pacts, which are much more ambitious than the previous ones: indeed, they do not only focus on tariff elimination, but they also extend to new areas. Their aim is to promote EU values as well as EU interests, in accordance with the articles of the EU treaties concerning the Union’s external action and also with the “Trade for all” strategy, launched by the EU in 2015. With regard to the EU-MERCOSUR Agreement, the contribution examines its norms concerning fields such as export duties; rules of origin; services and establishment; access to procurement markets; and sustainable development, which in turn includes environment and labour protection. Such analysis shows that, notwithstanding some weaknesses, the agreement at issue goes well beyond the WTO system: the obligations enclosed in the former tend to be more penetrating, when not introducing matters, or aspects, or sectors not covered at all in the latter. As a consequence, the EU-MERCOSUR agreement can be considered as an attempt by the EU to implement and update the World Trade Organization system of rules.