The Treaty of Lisbon will introduce a number of changes to European Union (EU) external trade policy decision making. These involve the scope of exclusive competence of the EU, the role of the European Parliament and the inclusion of trade in the common external action of the EU. This article...

1. The European Union in economic diplomacy -- 2. A framework of analysis -- 3. EU external trade and investment policy-making -- 4. The European Union in international financial regulation -- 5. EU external environmental policy -- 6. EU development policy -- 7. Conclusions.

The European Union has recently shifted to a trade policy that envisages a greater use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In particular the EU is working on a number of new FTA initiatives. Policy statements also reiterate the EU's commitment to multilateralism in trade and to the completion of...