“Business and Human Rights” in Trade: EU’s Missed Chance to be a Global Leader?

Abstract

As corporations are amongst the major players in global trade, this blog post examines the role of the EU in promoting business and human rights instruments: bilaterally, in its trade agreements; and at the international level, in the context of the recent UN negotiations over a binding treaty on business and human rights. We argue that, while important steps are on their way, the EU’s contribution to this respect is far from satisfactory.