European Union Trade Measures and Highest Priority Challenge Related to Climate Change in EU-Americas Relations

This article investigates the use of recent EU instruments related to the Green Deal within the framework of bilateral trade relations, typically governed by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Specifically, it explores the implications of new measures introduced by the European Union (EU) in response to climate change concerns, including the proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Critical Raw Materials Regulation, and the Deforestation Regulation. The article analyses the potential for enhanced cooperation within the framework of cooperation provisions in existing EU -America FTAs. It concludes by proposing to use the cooperation and corporate social responsibility commitments in EU trade agreements to foster closer cooperation with trading partners rather than simply informing partners of the context of these provisions.