CONTENTS

Economic Perspectives

An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Department of State, Vol. 7, No. 3, October 2002

Focus Commentary Facts and Figures Information Resources

THE FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS:
EXPANDING HEMISPHERIC TRADE

FOCUS

TRADING IN FREEDOM: THE NEW ENDEAVOR OF THE AMERICAS
By Robert B. Zoellick, U.S. Trade Representative
U.S. objectives for the November 1 meeting of regional trade ministers include creation of a Hemispheric Cooperation Program for smaller, developing countries, and the establishment of firm schedules for the negotiations to open markets in each of the participating countries.

U.S. POLICY IN THE AMERICAS AND THE ROLE OF FREE TRADE
By Otto J. Reich, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Freer trade has long been a centerpiece of U.S. policy in the Americas, not only to boost economic growth but also to strengthen the ties that unite the region's 34 democracies.

THE FTAA: MAPPING THE ROAD
TO ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
By Grant D. Aldonas, Under Secretary for International Trade
U.S. Department of Commerce
Realizing the full potential of the FTAA will require negotiators to work on areas that have often been inadequately addressed, including the need for strong rule of law, democratic institutions, independent judiciaries, reliable regulatory agencies, dependable law enforcement, and efficient banking and social services.

BUILDING TRADE CAPACITY IN THE AMERICAS
By Adolfo Franco, Assistant Administrator
U.S. Agency for International Development
Helping smaller economies attract trade and investment will be key to the success of the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.

COMMENTARY

BRAZIL AND THE UNITED STATES:
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO AN FTAA
By Rubens Barbosa, Ambassador of Brazil to the United States
As co-chair with the United States for the final negotiating stage of the FTAA, Brazil will share responsibility for addressing outstanding issues such as agriculture and trade remedies, as well as those that arise as complex trade-related rules take shape and final market concessions are made.

MEXICO AND THE FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS
By Luis Ernesto Derbez, Secretary of the Economy, Mexico
Mexico, for which free trade agreements have been vital to improving its global competitiveness and ensuring long-term growth, is fully committed to working toward the success of the Free Trade Area of the Americas given its importance to growth, jobs, and rising standards of living for all countries in the region.

CHALLENGES TO THE FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS
By Jeffrey J. Schott, Senior Fellow
Institute for International Economics
Signs of economic recovery in Latin America, the launch of new World Trade Organization talks, and other recent developments provide grounds for "fragile optimism" over the future of FTAA talks.

WHY THE FTAA MAKES SENSE FOR BUSINESS IN THE AMERICAS
By Scott Otteman, Director of International Trade Policy, National Association of Manufacturers
Eliminating trade barriers and locking in market-friendly policies via the Free Trade Area of the Americas can help the countries of the region "finish the job" of becoming viably competitive economies.

CONGRESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES

THE PROMISE OF PROSPERITY AND STRENGTHENED PARTNERSHIPS
By Philip Crane, Chairman, House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee
The momentum is there to complete the FTAA by 2005, and there is too much to gain for the participating countries not to continue the pursuit of free trade.

A CHANCE TO SHAPE THE RULES OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
By Sander Levin, Ranking Democrat, House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee
A successful FTAA should shape the rules of international trade and globalization by addressing labor standards, environmental protection, and other key issues.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRADE FIGURES

EXPORTS BY COUNTRY GROUPINGS

EXPORT GROWTH BY TRADE GROUP

INFORMATION RESOURCES

KEY CONTACTS AND INTERNET SITES

ADDITIONAL READINGS

An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Department of State

Volume 7, Number 3, October 2002

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