EU Trade Policy – Prospects, Challenges, Alternatives

Abstract

The paper presents the main issues discussed at the international conference “EU Trade Policy at the Crossroads: between Economic Liberalism and Democratic Challenges” which was held on 4-6 February 2016 at the C3-Centre for International Development in Vienna, Austria. The conference aimed at contributing to the trade policy debate by promoting a trans- and interdisciplinary analysis of the current trade regime and policies in the EU and its likely economic, social and political impacts. Contributions from a variety of academic disciplines, such as e.g. economics, political science, law and sociology were presented. Similarly, the conference was open to a variety of theoretical and normative positions in the social sciences. In addition, the conference managed to bring together researchers from academic as well as other research organizations with policy-makers and political activists from political organizations, NGOs and social movements.