Regulating EU External Trade
The course examines the European Union’s (EU) external trade, with a focus on the different models of economic integration or cooperation with third countries. This includes the models reflected by the European Economic Area Agreement (EEA), the evolving sectoral treaties with Switzerland, the Association Agreement with Turkey (Ankara Agreement), deep and comprehensive trade agreements such as CETA with Canada, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement governing post-Brexit relations, and forthcoming agreements such as EU-Mercosur. The discussion of the different models is preceded by a general introduction into the legal framework of the EU’s external relations law, and a brief overview of the EU’s unilateral trade instruments.
Course Objectives:
Objectives of the course
The objective of this course is to provide the students with systematic knowledge and analytical skills relating to the EU external economic agreements.
Achievement levels
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
Knowledge and comprehension: At the end of this course, students will be able to outline the differences between different models of EU external agreements in the economic field.
Application: At the end of this course, students will be able to discuss and apply legal issues related to the EU’s external agreements in the economic field.
Analysis
At the end of this course, students will be capable of placing day-to-day political developments relating to the EU external economic relations in a systematic legal context and to reflect critically on such developments.
Presentation: At the end of this course, the students will be able to make oral presentations and write papers on the issues covered.
Programme Final Qualifications
The following learning outcomes apply with regard to the course:
P.F.Q. = 1,2,3,4,5,6 & 8
Mode of Instruction:
Seminars with presentations and class discussion.
Assessment Method(s):
During the course, students will be asked to make group presentations. Based on these, students will be asked to write group or individual papers.
Reading List:
R.A. Wessel and J. Larik (eds), EU External Relations Law: Text, Cases and Materials (3rd edition, Oxford, Hart Publishing 2026)
Specific literature on individual agreements as well as CJEU case law will be indicated in the course reader and in the Law Faculty’s electronic learning environment.
Bright Space
Additional reading will be indicated in the course reader and in the electronic learning environment, Bright Space.
**Disclaimer: **
Currently these pages are being updated to reflect the courses for 2025 - 2026. Until these pages are fixed as per 1 September 2025 no rights can be claimed from the information which is currently contained within. Should there be any future extenuating circumstances which may impinge our teaching and assessment, these could necessitate modification of the course descriptions after 1 September. This will only happen in the event of strict necessity and the interests of the students will be taken into account. Should there be a need for any change during the course, this will be informed to all students on a timely basis. Modifications after 1 September 2025 may only be done with the approval and consent of the Faculty Board and Programme Director.