Abstract
This article historicizes social regionalism as a principled and pragmatic response to the breakdown of the embedded liberal bargain and the encasing of an international economic order that was designed to prevent the governance of the social in the economic, transnationally. Seen in historical context, the first labour chapter arbitral panel report under the Dominican Republic – Central America – United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) illustrates the need to shift focus, to social regionalism. Social regionalism enables trade treaty interpretation to focus on shared objectives. It moves beyond, to promote redistributive mechanisms and international solidarity within trade agreements.