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This unique book addresses recent strides at trade regionalism in the Western Hemisphere. In addition, it provides a detailed discussion of the prospects, potential content, and likely impact of a U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. Such an accord is very likely. In February 1994 the Clinton Administration announced that negotiations with Chile were expected to begin during the Spring of 1994 with completion at the end of 1995. Prior to focusing on U.S.-Chile trade, the book details contemporary efforts at trade regionalism in the Western Hemisphere, including: the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the Caribbean Basin Initiative, the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative, the Andean Trade Preference Act, the Latin American Integration Association, the Caribbean Community Common Market, the Andean Pact, the Central American Common Market, the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) and Chilean bilateral trade and investment arrangements. Next, a synopsis of recent U.S.-Chilean trade and investment relations as well as the impetus for a U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement are provided. In addition, the book offers an empirical assessment of U.S.-Chilean trade and investment relations. It also describes the various issues and topics that are likely to be covered in any U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. Furthermore, particular U.S. and Chilean market sectors that might be affected by such an agreement are detailed. The conclusion is that a U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement would continue previous attempts at trade regionalism in Western Hemisphere. An annex provides an extensive directory of key government and business contacts in the U.S. and Chile, facilitating trade and investment opportunities for individuals and firms

Intro -- THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-U.S. FREE TRADE AGREEMENT -- THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-U.S. FREE TRADE AGREEMENT -- CONTENTS -- PREFACE -- Chapter 1 THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-UNITED STATES FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (CAFTA DR): DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADEAND INVESTMENT -- SUMMARY -- INTRODUCTION -- BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR CAFTA-DR -- CAFTA-DR TRADE RULES -- Apparel Rules -- Agriculture Rules -- TRENDS IN CAFTA-DR MERCHANDISE TRADE -- CAFTA-DR Direction of Trade -- US-CAFTA-DR Bilateral Trade -- US Exports by Country -- US Imports by Country -- US Imports by Country -- Composition of US-CAFTA-DR Trade -- Textiles and Apparel -- Machinery and Other Manufacturing -- Agriculture -- FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTIN CAFTA-DR COUNTRIES -- AN ANALYSIS OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT TRENDS -- Macroeconomic Factors -- Microeconomic Factors -- Doing Business Indicators -- Logistics Performance Index -- Security, Governance, Corruption, and Economic Freedom -- OUTLOOK AND ISSUES FOR CONGRESS -- APPENDIX. CAFTA-DR COUNTRY ECONOMIC DATA -- End Notes -- Chapter 2 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC COUNTRY PROFILE -- PROFILE -- GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS -- FOREIGN RELATIONS -- US-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RELATIONS -- Chapter 3 GUATEMALA COUNTRY PROFILE -- PROFILE -- PEOPLE -- HISTORY -- 1944 to 1986 -- 1986 to 2011 -- GOVERNMENT -- Principal Government Officials -- POLITICAL CONDITIONS -- ECONOMY -- NATIONAL SECURITY -- FOREIGN RELATIONS -- US-GUATEMALAN RELATIONS -- Chapter 4 EL SALVADOR COUNTRY PROFILE -- PROFILE -- PEOPLE -- HISTORY -- GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS -- Political Landscape -- Human Rights and Post-War Reforms -- National Civilian Police -- Judiciary -- Principal Government Officials -- ECONOMY -- Natural Disasters -- FOREIGN RELATIONS -- US-SALVADORAN RELATIONS -- Chapter 5 HONDURAS COUNTRY PROFILE -- PROFILE -- PEOPLE

The trade agreements that the European Union has with North African countries - with Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia - are often seen as having delivered disappointing results since they came into force during the 2000s. The four North African countries have seen insufficient growth in their exports to the EU, and have undergone only limited diversification. In the meantime, the EU's exports to North Africa have grown quite rapidly. Economic growth in North Africa has been well short of what is needed to reduce chronic under-employment, especially of young people. The EU trade agreements with North Africa could generate additional, large benefits if they either directly led to or at least incentivised behind-the-border reforms to make the North African countries more competitive in international markets. Though this reform is the responsibility of the governments of North African countries, the EU could provide stronger incentives to improve the business environment. Meanwhile, in agriculture, were the North African countries able to compete with the EU on an even playing field, agriculture's share of domestic value-added would almost certainly be significantly larger and rural poverty correspondingly lower than at present. Nevertheless, the agreements have been judged too harshly. They helped generate large amounts of trade, though not enough was done on the domestic front to derive the maximum benefit from them. Moreover, the domestic and international environment has been unfavourable, impeding North Africa's progress. Over much of the relevant period, the EU grew sluggishly, and North African countries faced sharply increasing competition on European markets from China and the eastern Europe countries that joined the EU in 2004 and after. Generally, countries that acceded to the EU have done much better than the countries of North Africa. While the countries of North Africa are not EU candidates, there is much that they and the EU can learn from the example of the former accession countries in terms of how a new generation of trade agreements between the EU and North Africa could be deeper and more comprehensive than currently, and could be accompanied by increased aid for trade.

PROPONENTS FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) ARGUE THAT IT REPRESENTS THE FIRST MAJOR STEP TOWARD HEMISPHERIC FREE TRADE, AS ENVISIONED IN THE PRESIDENT'S ENTERPRISE FOR THE AMERICAS INITIATIVE. THE NAFTA'S OPPONENTS IN THE UNITED STATES SEE IT AS ANOTHER THREAT TO U.S. JOBS, PARTICULARLY IN MANUFACTURING. THIS ARTICLES EXAMINES SOME OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE U.S. DECISION TO PURSUE THE NAFTA, THE BENEFITS THE NAFTA SHOULD PRESENT TO THE UNITED STATES, THE MEASURES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING TO LIMIT THE POTENTIAL ADJUSTMENTS COSTS, AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE NAFTA TO OVERALL U.S. TRADE POLICY.