To solve commercial disputes with third parties the European Union (EU) uses both legal procedures (like the Dispute Settlement Mechanism of the World Trade Organization or domestic trade defence mechanisms that are deemed consistent with WTO law) and diplomatic consultations. The purpose of this workshop will be to explore under what conditions the EU chooses which of these two approaches, with a focus on the EUs commercial ties with countries in Asia, a region of crucial economic and political significance. Participants will research a particular case of commercial tensions between the EU and an Asian trading partner from within the past ten years, and assess the role of legal and/or diplomatic means in managing the dispute, the use of domestic and/or international legal mechanisms, and in the case of the latter whether they are of bilateral or multilateral nature. In addition to these case studies, two or three researchers will cooperate to develop a conceptual framework that can serve as a common approach for all contributors and enhance the coherence of the undertaking.