Common commercial policy after Lisbon: The European Union’s dependence on secondary legislation

Abstract

The European Union’s common commercial policy has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it operates in the sphere of public international law, and serves to define the EU’s position towards other countries or international organizations. In particular, in applying its common commercial policy, the Union acts to conclude, amend, or rescind international agreements and to adopt unilateral measures vis-à-vis its international counterparts. On the other hand the EU adopts internal rules and regulations for the internal implementation of its common commercial policy. Both the scope of the external powers and the manner in which the external powers are implemented were changed as the result of the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty. On the other hand the EU adopts internal rules and regulations for the internal implementation of its common commercial policy. Both the scope of the external powers and the manner in which the external powers are implemented were changed as the result of the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty.