2025-02-262024/25:NU13 · p.1NUBusiness & energy

Overall matters on international trade

The overall direction of Sweden's and the EU's trade policy

What's at stake: Concerns how much weight the environment, climate and human rights should be given in trade policy, and could affect working conditions and environmental impact at companies in international supply chains, as well as Sweden's role in trade negotiations.

Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.

What the vote decides

The question is whether parliament should urge the government to push for stricter EU rules and sanction options for corporate responsibility across the whole supply chain and make fair, sustainable trade an explicit priority, or whether existing and recently introduced EU rules on sustainability reporting and due diligence are considered sufficient without further statements.

Yes Yes — the committee proposal

The committee rejects the motions. The committee points to new rules on corporate sustainability reporting that have recently taken effect, and to the EU directive on corporate due diligence regarding human rights and the environment, which took effect in spring 2024, with a review under way on how to implement it in Sweden. The committee therefore sees no need for statements calling for further EU regulation or sanction options, and notes that the Swedish national contact point for sustainable business already functions through tripartite cooperation between the state, business and unions.

No No — the reservations

Reservation 2 (V, MP)

The reservation (V, MP) wants parliament to declare to the government that all trade relations should take the environment, climate and human rights into account, that trade policy should contribute to the global goals in Agenda 2030, and that Sweden should be a pioneer for free, fair and sustainable trade. It wants international trade agreements to promote sustainable development and not prevent countries from enacting new laws to protect the climate, the environment and animals, and wants EU trade policy to be used to a greater extent as a tool for poverty reduction, human rights, democratization and the climate transition.

Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.

VSMPCLKDMSD
YesNoAbstainAbsent

What do the votes mean here?

Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).

No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 2 by V, MP.

Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.

The decision would have gone the other way

Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: CCenterpartiet, KDKristdemokraterna, SSocialdemokraterna

Ja 172–34Nej 72–164

Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.

What each plan points to — and how the party voted

For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.

PlanVoteConfidenceEvidence
Vown reservationNoNo 0/19/0/5follows the planconfidence: highnot addressed
SNoYes 63/0/30/13departs from the planagainst own programmeconfidence: highexplicit
MPown reservationNoNo 0/15/0/3follows the planconfidence: highexplicit
CNoYes 21/0/0/3departs from the planagainst own programmeconfidence: highexplicit
LNoYes 12/0/0/4departs from the planconfidence: mediumnot addressed
KDNoYes 16/0/0/3departs from the planagainst own programmeconfidence: mediumexplicit
MNoYes 60/0/0/8departs from the planconfidence: lownot addressed
SDYesAbstain 0/0/63/9departs from the planconfidence: mediumnot addressed

Broke with the party line

SAmalia Rud Stenlöf (S, Göteborgs kommun)Abstain — party line: Yes
SArber Gashi (S, Hallands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SAzadeh Rojhan (S, Stockholms län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SDenis Begic (S, Örebro län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SDzenan Cisija (S, Göteborgs kommun)Abstain — party line: Yes
SErik Ezelius (S, Västra Götalands läns östra)Abstain — party line: Yes
SEva Lindh (S, Östergötlands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SGunilla Carlsson (S, Göteborgs kommun)Abstain — party line: Yes
SGunilla Svantorp (S, Värmlands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SInga-Lill Sjöblom (S, Uppsala län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SJennie Nilsson (S, Hallands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SJohan Andersson (S, Östergötlands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SJohan Büser (S, Göteborgs kommun)Abstain — party line: Yes
SKadir Kasirga (S, Stockholms kommun)Abstain — party line: Yes
SLars Mejern Larsson (S, Värmlands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SLouise Thunström (S, Västra Götalands läns norra)Abstain — party line: Yes
SMarcus Andersson (S, Västra Götalands läns östra)Abstain — party line: Yes
SMarianne Fundahn (S, Skåne läns södra)Abstain — party line: Yes
SMarie Olsson (S, Dalarnas län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SMats Wiking (S, Västra Götalands läns norra)Abstain — party line: Yes
SMattias Jonsson (S, Göteborgs kommun)Abstain — party line: Yes
SMikael Dahlqvist (S, Värmlands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SMonica Haider (S, Kronobergs län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SPatrik Lundqvist (S, Gävleborgs län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SPer-Arne Håkansson (S, Skåne läns norra och östra)Abstain — party line: Yes
SPeter Hultqvist (S, Dalarnas län)Abstain — party line: Yes
SPetter Löberg (S, Västra Götalands läns södra)Abstain — party line: Yes
SSofia Amloh (S, Södermanlands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
STeresa Carvalho (S, Östergötlands län)Abstain — party line: Yes
STomas Eneroth (S, Kronobergs län)Abstain — party line: Yes

MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.

Committee proposal

The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:1466 by Tobias Andersson et al. (SD) amendment 2 in this part, 2024/25:2613 by Elin Söderberg et al. (MP) amendments 66-68 and 2024/25:2625 by Janine Alm Ericson et al. (MP) amendment 28.

Original (Swedish)

Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:1466 av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD) yrkande 2 i denna del, 2024/25:2613 av Elin Söderberg m.fl. (MP) yrkandena 66-68 och 2024/25:2625 av Janine Alm Ericson m.fl. (MP) yrkande 28.

Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 80 proposals regarding trade policy in motions from the general motion session in 2024. The proposals concern, among other things, reform of the World Trade Organization, WTO, trade relations with certain countries and regions, and the free movement of certain goods and services. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to the conducted policy and that work is already underway on many of the issues covered by the proposals.

Counter-proposals

Plan vs actual vote

Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.

VVänsterpartietNoNofollows the plannot addressed

The plan wants Sweden to work for fair trade terms and work against trade agreements that restrict room for democratic decisions — precisely the counter-proposal's requirement that agreements cannot prevent countries from legislating to protect climate, environment, and animals.

Plan documents: party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan wants Sweden to work for fair trade terms and work against trade agreements that restrict room for democratic decisions — precisely the counter-proposal's requirement that agreements cannot prevent countries from legislating to protect climate, environment, and animals. The plan furthermore links the climate transition to taking the world out of poverty and wants Sweden to be a driving force internationally. Trade policy as a tool for human rights follows from the same commitment.

Original (Swedish)

Planen vill att Sverige verkar för rättvisa handelsvillkor och arbetar mot handelsavtal som inskränker utrymmet för demokratiska beslut — precis motförslagets krav att avtal inte får hindra länder från att lagstifta till skydd för klimat, miljö och djur. Planen kopplar dessutom klimatomställningen till att ta världen ur fattigdom och vill att Sverige är pådrivande internationellt. Handelspolitik som verktyg för mänskliga rättigheter följer av samma åtagande.

  • trade agreements cannot bind democracydecisive»mot handelsavtal som inskränker utrymmet för« (party programme ↗)“against trade agreements that restrict room for”
  • fair trade terms»Vi vill att Sverige verkar för skuldavskrivning,« (party programme ↗)“We want Sweden to work for debt cancellation,”
  • poverty reduction in the transition»gå hand i hand med att ta världen ur fattigdom.« (party programme ↗)“go hand in hand with taking the world out of poverty.”
  • driving climate diplomacy»Vi vill att Sverige ska spela en pådrivande roll« (party programme ↗)“We want Sweden to play a driving role”
SSocialdemokraternaNoYesdeparts from the planexplicit

The plan establishes that the EU should conclude more trade agreements where values about social dialogue, human rights and the environment are guiding, and the party programme requires that trade agreements are consistent with international environmental agreements and not become tools against poor countries.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan establishes that the EU should conclude more trade agreements where values about social dialogue, human rights and the environment are guiding, and the party programme requires that trade agreements are consistent with international environmental agreements and not become tools against poor countries. That is precisely what the counter-proposal demands of trade policy. Trade should be open but also fair.

Original (Swedish)

Planen slår fast att EU ska sluta fler handelsavtal där värderingar om social dialog, mänskliga rättigheter och miljö är vägledande, och partiprogrammet kräver att handelsavtalen stämmer överens med de internationella miljöavtalen och inte blir verktyg mot fattiga länder. Det är just vad motförslaget begär av handelspolitiken. Handeln ska vara öppen men också rättvis.

  • value-driven trade agreementsdecisive»EU behöver sluta fler handelsavtal där också våra värderingar om social dialog, mänskliga rättigheter och miljö är vägledande.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The EU needs to conclude more trade agreements where also our values about social dialogue, human rights and the environment are guiding.”
  • trade compatible with environmental agreements»De internationella handelsavtalen måste stämma överens med de internationella« (party programme ↗)“International trade agreements must be consistent with the international”
  • trade for poverty reduction»Handelsavtalen får inte bli verktyg för starka kapitalintressen gentemot fattiga länder« (party programme ↗)“Trade agreements must not become tools for strong capital interests against poor countries”
  • open and fair trade»Vi står upp för en öppen, fri och rättvis handel.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We stand for open, free and fair trade.”

The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.

MPMiljöpartietNoNofollows the planexplicit

The plan wants to introduce strict environmental and social requirements in trade policy, that member states shall be able to go ahead with stricter legislation to protect the environment and health even if it conflicts with the internal market, and that Sweden sets requirements that imported goods are manufactured with regard to the environment and human rights.

Plan documents: party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan wants to introduce strict environmental and social requirements in trade policy, that member states shall be able to go ahead with stricter legislation to protect the environment and health even if it conflicts with the internal market, and that Sweden sets requirements that imported goods are manufactured with regard to the environment and human rights. Trade policy shall be free trade on fair terms. The counter-proposal's requirements for sustainability, human rights and retained right to legislate follow directly from this.

Original (Swedish)

Planen vill införa hårda miljökrav och sociala krav i handelspolitiken, att medlemsländer ska få gå före med hårdare lagstiftning till skydd för miljö och hälsa även om det strider mot inre marknaden, och att Sverige ställer krav på att importerade varor tillverkas med hänsyn till miljö och mänskliga rättigheter. Handelspolitiken ska vara frihandel på rättvisa villkor. Motförslagets krav på hållbarhet, mänskliga rättigheter och bibehållen rätt att lagstifta följer direkt av detta.

  • environmental and social requirements in tradedecisive»hårda miljökrav och sociala krav i handel« (party programme ↗)“strict environmental and social requirements in trade”
  • right to go ahead with protective laws»hårdare lagstiftning till skydd för miljö och hälsa« (party programme ↗)“stricter legislation to protect the environment and health”
  • requirements for imported goods»Sverige ska ställa krav på att importerade varor är« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall set requirements that imported goods are”
  • free trade on fair terms»omvärlden och verka för frihandel på rättvisa« (party programme ↗)“the world and work for free trade on fair”
CCenterpartietNoYesdeparts from the planexplicit

The election manifesto establishes that Sweden does not get by without free trade but that stronger demands on working conditions, environment and climate shall be placed in trade agreements, and that trade policy shall be used as a climate tool against fossil subsidies and major polluters.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The election manifesto establishes that Sweden does not get by without free trade but that stronger demands on working conditions, environment and climate shall be placed in trade agreements, and that trade policy shall be used as a climate tool against fossil subsidies and major polluters. The party programme requires that regard be taken to ethical and environmental perspectives in trade. The counter-proposal's demands that trade relations value environment, climate and human rights are the same commitment in substance.

Original (Swedish)

Valmanifestet slår fast att Sverige inte klarar sig utan frihandel men att hårdare krav på arbetsvillkor, miljö och klimat ska ställas i handelsavtal, och att handelspolitiken ska användas som klimatverktyg mot fossila subventioner och stora utsläppare. Partiprogrammet kräver att hänsyn tas till etiska och miljömässiga perspektiv i handeln. Motförslagets krav på att handelsrelationer värnar miljö, klimat och mänskliga rättigheter är samma åtagande.

  • environmental demands in trade agreementsdecisive»Sverige klarar sig inte utan frihandel. Öppna upp fler marknader för svenska varor och tjänster. Ställ hårdare krav på arbetsvillkor, miljö och klimat i handelsavtal.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden does not get by without free trade. Open up more markets for Swedish goods and services. Place stronger demands on working conditions, environment and climate in trade agreements.”
  • trade policy for climate»Vi ska använda handelspolitiken för att kapa fossila subventioner runtom i världen och pressa stora utsläppare som Kina att stänga ner sina kolkraftverk.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We shall use trade policy to cut fossil subsidies around the world and press major polluters like China to close down their coal-fired power stations.”
  • ethics and environment in trade»Hänsyn måste tas till etiska och miljömässiga perspektiv.« (party programme ↗)“Regard must be taken to ethical and environmental perspectives.”
  • free trade and cooperation»Sverige behöver mer frihandel och internationellt samarbete, inte protektionism och stängda gränser.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs more free trade and international cooperation, not protectionism and closed borders.”

The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.

LLiberalernaNoYesdeparts from the plannot addressed

The party programme requires that climate aspects be integrated into the EU's trade policy, and the election manifesto makes foreign and trade policy explicitly values-driven with the benefits of free trade but without naivety.

Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The party programme requires that climate aspects be integrated into the EU's trade policy, and the election manifesto makes foreign and trade policy explicitly values-driven with the benefits of free trade but without naivety. The counter-proposal's requirement that trade relationships take account of environment, climate and human rights and that trade policy be used for poverty reduction and democratisation is in line with this. The plan's free-trade line remains, and the counter-proposal does not ask for new trade barriers.

Original (Swedish)

Partiprogrammet kräver att klimataspekterna integreras i EU:s handelspolitik, och valmanifestet gör utrikes- och handelspolitiken uttryckligen värderingsstyrd med frihandelns fördelar men utan naivitet. Motförslagets krav att handelsrelationer tar hänsyn till miljö, klimat och mänskliga rättigheter och att handelspolitiken används för fattigdomsbekämpning och demokratisering ligger i linje med detta. Planens frihandelslinje kvarstår, och motförslaget begär inte nya handelshinder.

  • climate in trade policydecisive»Klimataspekterna ska integreras i EU:s handelspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“Climate aspects shall be integrated into the EU's trade policy.”
  • values-driven trade policy»Handels- och främjandepolitiken ska stärka Sverige som aktör för en friare värld och dra nytta av frihandelns fördelar utan den naivitet som alltför länge uppvisats för kinesisk och rysk maktpolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Trade and development policy shall strengthen Sweden as an advocate for a freer world and take advantage of the benefits of free trade without the naivety that for too long has characterised policy towards Chinese and Russian power politics.”
  • human rights govern»Vi kallar det för vad det är: en ny värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We call it what it is: a new values-driven foreign policy.”
  • free trade as the foundation»Sverige ska vara en stark röst för frihandel, i första hand genom globala avtal men annars genom« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a strong voice for free trade, primarily through global agreements but otherwise through”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

KDKristdemokraternaNoYesdeparts from the planexplicit

The party programme binds trade policy to international solidarity: freer world trade with fairer rules should reduce global inequalities, and protection of human rights should be a main goal of foreign policy.

Plan documents: party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The party programme binds trade policy to international solidarity: freer world trade with fairer rules should reduce global inequalities, and protection of human rights should be a main goal of foreign policy. The programme also wants to strengthen global ethical codes for business and let trade and development aid cooperate for sustainable integration of poorer countries. The counter-proposal's requirement that trade policy considers environment, climate and human rights thus follows from the plan.

Original (Swedish)

Partiprogrammet binder handelspolitiken till internationell solidaritet: en friare världshandel med rättvisare spelregler ska minska de globala klyftorna, och skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter ska vara ett huvudmål för utrikespolitiken. Programmet vill dessutom förstärka de globala etiska koderna för näringslivet och låta handels- och biståndspolitiken samverka för en hållbar integration av fattigare länder. Motförslagets krav att handelspolitiken tar hänsyn till miljö, klimat och mänskliga rättigheter följer därför av planen.

  • freer trade against global inequalitiesdecisive»En friare världshandel med rättvisare spelregler är en förutsättning för att klyftorna ska kunna minska.« (party programme ↗)“Freer world trade with fairer rules is a precondition for inequalities to be reduced.”
  • human rights as main goal»Människovärdet ska stå i fokus och arbetet för att skydda och värna mänskliga fri- och rättigheter ska vara ett« (party programme ↗)“Human worth shall be in focus and work to protect and value human freedom and rights shall be a”
  • ethical codes for business»är det viktigt att förstärka de globala etiska koderna för« (party programme ↗)“it is important to strengthen global ethical codes for”
  • trade and aid in cooperation»Handels- och biståndspolitiken måste samverka« (party programme ↗)“Trade and development aid must cooperate”

The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.

MModeraternaNoYesdeparts from the plannot addressed

The plan makes trade, climate and security the core tasks of EU cooperation and wants Sweden to be a strong voice for democracy and human rights, with efforts that prioritize precisely these values.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan makes trade, climate and security the core tasks of EU cooperation and wants Sweden to be a strong voice for democracy and human rights, with efforts that prioritize precisely these values. The party programme sees market economy and trade as the engine of development. That trade policy takes environmental and human rights concerns into account and is used for poverty reduction is thereby consistent with the plan, which however does not take a position on sustainability conditions in trade agreements.

Original (Swedish)

Planen gör handel, klimat och säkerhet till EU-samarbetets kärnuppgifter och vill att Sverige är en stark röst för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter, med insatser som prioriterar just dessa värden. Partiprogrammet ser marknadsekonomi och handel som utvecklingens motor. Att handelspolitiken tar hänsyn till miljö och mänskliga rättigheter och används för fattigdomsbekämpning ligger därmed i linje med planen, som dock inte tar ställning till hållbarhetsvillkor i handelsavtal.

  • EU solves trade and climatedecisive»EU:s fokus ska ligga på att lösa problem som Sverige inte kan hantera ensamt, till exempel handel, klimat, migration och säkerhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“EU's focus should be on solving problems that Sweden cannot handle alone, such as trade, climate, migration and security.”
  • democracy and human rights prioritized»Prioritera insatser som stödjer arbetet för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize efforts that support work for democracy and human rights”
  • trade creates development»marknadsekonomi och handel« (party programme ↗)“market economy and trade”
  • climate efforts abroad»Öka klimatbiståndets andel av det totala biståndet för att minska utsläppen utomlands« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase the share of climate aid in total aid to reduce emissions abroad”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

SDSverigedemokraternaYesAbstaindeparts from the plannot addressed

The plan's central commitment in trade policy is that Swedish interests shall be protected in free trade agreements and that foreign policy to a greater degree shall put Swedes' interests first.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan's central commitment in trade policy is that Swedish interests shall be protected in free trade agreements and that foreign policy to a greater degree shall put Swedes' interests first. Climate measures shall also be assessed based on effect per krona in a global perspective, not based on the ambition to go furthest. The counter-proposal's requirement that trade policy generally be guided by sustainability goals and climate transition goes against this, even though the plan wants Sweden to be a clear voice for human rights.

Original (Swedish)

Planens bärande åtagande i handelspolitiken är att svenska intressen ska värnas i frihandelsavtal och att utrikespolitiken i högre grad ska sätta svenskarnas intressen främst. Klimatåtgärder ska dessutom bedömas utifrån effekt per krona i ett globalt perspektiv, inte utifrån ambitionen att gå längst. Motförslagets krav på att handelspolitiken generellt ska styras av hållbarhetsmål och klimatomställning går mot detta, även om planen vill att Sverige är en tydlig röst för mänskliga rättigheter.

  • Swedish interests in trade agreementsdecisive»Värna svenska intressen i frihandelsavtal« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Protect Swedish interests in free trade agreements”
  • Swedish interests first»Sverigedemokraterna vill att inriktningen av utrikespolitiken i högre utsträckning än idag ska värna svenskarnas intressen på det globala planet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats want the direction of foreign policy to to a greater extent than today protect Swedes' interests on the global stage.”
  • cost-efficient climate policy»Bedriva en effektiv klimatpolitik med ett tydligt globalt perspektiv« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Conduct an efficient climate policy with a clear global perspective”
  • voice for human rights»Sverige ska bli en tydligare röst för demokrati, yttrandefrihet och grundläggande mänskliga fri och rättigheter i världspolitiken.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall become a clearer voice for democracy, freedom of expression and fundamental human rights in world politics.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

Share and embed

Embed as a widget (iframe): previewSizeLanguage

Sources and documents

Documents under consideration

Source: The Swedish Parliament