This timely book scrutinises the mechanisms for guaranteeing respect for the rule of law in the European legal system. Focusing on external relations, it assesses the capacity of the EU to disseminate these values as a global actor and offers novel suggestions for how this capacity could be exercised more effectively. Using EU legislation and case law, the book identifies the essential elements of the rule of law, and distinguishes the general limits it places on the behaviour of public authorities. Focusing on EU sanctions, trade policy and relations with neighbouring and membership candidate countries, it argues that the EU’s promotion of the rule of law internally and externally has strengthened considerably over time. Nevertheless, given the degradation of the rule of law on the international scene, contributors call for an overhaul of EU rule of law policy to uphold the EU’s ethical commitments and strengthen its international standing. This book will be an important read for scholars and students of European law, trade law and international relations. Presenting detailed analyses of EU policy and case law, it will also be highly useful for practitioners and policy-makers seeking to promote human rights and democracy.