Keywords
International agreements
Environmental law
Sustainability
Mercosur
EFTA
How to Cite
Abstract
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in September 2025, after 8 years of negotiations. During these years, there have been worries about possible negative environmental impacts the provisions of this FTA might bring. In light of these concerns, this article analyzes Chapter 13 of the EFTA-MERCOSUR “Trade and Sustainable Development” through document analysis and the theory of soft and hard law. The analysis reveals that, although the text is ambitious and robust in the commitments regarding sustainability, the lack of delegation and obligations diminishes the Chapter’s enforceability to be declarative and aspirational. The FTA is therefore a missed opportunity for enhancing sustainability practices in international trade.
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