The Evolution of Labor Rights and Trade—A Transatlantic Comparison and Lessons for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Abstract

This article surveys the differing approaches of the US and the EU on trade and labor linkage and evaluates the extent to which either model has had a meaningful impact on the protection of workers’ rights in the territory of their trade partners. It finds that pre-ratification leverage has resulted in legislative reforms, particularly as demanded by the US, though post-ratification efforts have been much less successful. The article identifies the possible reasons therefore and concludes with recommendations to overcome these weaknesses in the context of the US-EU bilateral trade agreement negotiations for the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.