The ETUC and the US trade union national centre, AFL-CIO, maintain a close relationship, further developed in the context of the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) talks. The ETUC and the AFL-CIO issued a “Declaration of Joint Principles” in June 2014 and a joint statement in March 2016: TTIP negotiations 'On the Wrong Course'. The ETUC takes part in the European Commission’s TTIP Advisory Group.

The ETUC also worked closely with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) in demanding changes to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada (CETA).