ANALISI DELL'APPROCCIO UE AL COMMERCIO EQUO

In recent decades, a more “ethical” trade structure has been developed as an alternative to regular international trade with producers from developing countries. In this new economy called “fair trade”, partnerships are based on dialogue, transparency and respect, by pursuing fairness and equal rights in international trade, so as to avoid exploiting smallholder farmers in developing countries. Fair trade, connected to a labelling system, thus aims to improve the lives of the poor in developing countries by providing producers with better conditions and helping them organize. Since the signing of the Lisbon Treaty, in terms of relations with the rest of the world, the promotion of free and fair trade has become one the goals of the European Union. Whether the European Union can achieve its intended goal and clarify its position on fair trade has been fiercely debated in academic and policy circles. In particular, debates have been waged about whether the European approach to fair trade is sustainable in the long run and about the impact of fair-trade products on European consumers. This paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the European Union approach to fair trade and explore the existing relationship between the EU trade policy and fair trade, describing the potential benefits and potential pitfalls