Abstract: This book explores the impact of trade with less developed countries (LDCs) on employment in Europe. It supports the view that trade with LDCs has had limited impact on the labour market. Among its main findings are that trade with LDCs would be less harmful for Europe than for the USA, that the inequality problem in Europe is not wage inequality but the widespread unemployment of unskilled workers, and that technology has contributed to unemployment. The book has nine chapters. The first seven examine the impact of LDC trade on the European labour market; the final two address the social clause problem.

Keywords: international trade, unemployment, European labour market, less developed countries, LDC, inequality, social clause