This special issue investigates the European Union’s (EU) pioneering role in integrating climate change and sustainability goals into its trade and investment agreements. Through legal and policy analysis, the issue explores the EU’s influence in shaping global trade practices aligned with sustainable development, focusing on agreements with the Americas, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean. The contributions examine the institutional and legal mechanisms underpinning these agreements, their alignment with frameworks like the Paris Agreement, and the associated geopolitical implications. Articles address themes such as Sustainability Impact Assessments, deforestation commitments, and the evolution of EU external relations under the Green Deal. The analysis highlights the challenges posed by stricter EU regulations for its trade partners and the opportunities for fostering cooperative approaches to sustainability. By presenting case studies of EU agreements with regions like Mercosur and Andean communities, the issue serves as a lens to assess how the EU balances its regulatory ambitions with international collaboration. These insights provide a nuanced understanding of the EU’s evolving leadership in advancing sustainable development through its trade policies.
European Foreign Affairs Review