Static and dynamic impacts of MERCOSUR: the case of the pharmaceutical sector

Includes bibliography

Foreign direct investment and development: the MERCOSUR experience

Includes bibliography

Regional integration and export diversification in MERCOSUR: the case of Argentina and Brazil

Includes bibliography

Internationalization and technology in MERCOSUR

Includes bibliography

Meeting the challenges of the FTAA: trade trends, export specialization patterns and regional integration in the Caribbean: including the case of the NICCs

Includes bibliography

Características del Istmo Centroamericano y la República Dominicana que podrían afectar su participación en el Area de Libre Comercio de las Américas (ALCA) = Characteristics of the Central American Isthmus and the Dominican Republic which might affect their participation in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)

Incluye Bibliografía

Special and differential treatment in the FTAA

Includes bibliography

Trade and investment flows between the Caribbean and the rest of the hemisphere in the context of the FTAA

Includes bibliography

Issues, effects and implications of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Agreement for CARICOM economies

Includes bibliography

Canada's trade and investment with Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Trade Facilitation as Part of Creating the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)

The content of this article is the natural continuation of both FAL Bulletin No. 167 and FAL Bulletin No. 171. FAL Bulletin No. 167 advanced conceptually in the definition of the term trade facilitation and a general explanation of how some international bodies and the FTAA process itself deal with this issue. This month's article expands on the information regarding trade facilitation within the FTAA, which brings together the sizeable number of 34 countries from the Western Hemisphere.Similarly, taking into account that FAL Bulletin No. 171 reported on some progress toward trade facilitation regulations within the framework of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), the current article takes a complementary approach, reporting on developments favourable to trade facilitation in another agreement for economic integration, which basically proposes the creation of a free trade area.

Border crossings in Mercosur countries: obstacles and their cost

In a recent ECLAC study of inefficiency at border crossings in Mercosur countries, it was found that the cost of delays in traffic between Argentina and Brazil amounted to a minimum of US$ 170 per truck for the most problematic border crossing. This is over 10 % higher than the typical price of freight between Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo or Porto Alegre. It was estimated that the extra-cost on this border crossing may amount to a maximum of US$ 273 per truck. These problems, which have to do more with organization than with infrastructure, cause serious losses to the sectors involved in international transport, and especially to end users of intermediate or consumer goods transported.This edition of the Bulletin includes a summary of a study entitled: Identificación de obstáculos al transporte terrestre internacional de cargas en el Mercosur: los casos de Argentina, Brasil y Uruguay.

Die Perspektiven des MERCOSUR in den internationalen Beziehungen mit der Freihandelszone Amerikas ALCA, FTAA und der Europäischen Gemeinschaft

Die Perspektiven des MERCOSUR in den internationalen Beziehungen mit der Freihandelszone Amerikas ALCA/FTAA und der Europäischen Gemeinschaft Rita de Cassia Carvalho de Carvalho Abstract In dieser Arbeit wird MERCOSUR, Gemeinsamer Markt des Südens, als ein politischer Integrationsprozeß zwischen Entwicklungsländern, der mit der Integrationsherausforderung i. S. des wandelnden Völkerrechts, konfrontiert ist, vorgestellt. Damit sind die rechtspolitischen Perspektiven für MERCOSUR eng mit der Trilogie EU, ALCA und WTO verbunden. Aus integrationsrechtlichem Blickwinkel entwickelte sich MERCOSUR zu einem sui generis Integrationsprozeß mit der Gewährleistung der vier Marktfreiheiten nach dem EU-Vorbild. Im MERCOSUR-Recht herrscht die Zwischenstaatlichkeitsklausel. Die Herren der Verträge und Träger von Kompetenz-Kompetenz i. S. v. pouvoir constituant sind die Mitgliedsstaaten. Obwohl die fehlende Rechtssicherheit die Vertiefung des Gemeinsamen Marktes gefährdet, bietet die Übernahme des EU-Modells keine Lösung, weil die Problematik eher bei der schwachen Rechtsdurchsetzung in den Entwicklungsländern zu finden ist. Angesichts der ALCA-Logik, d. h. im Handels-, Investitions- und Dienstleistungswesen wettbewerbs¬fähig zu werden, dafür aber Rückschritte in Umwelt-, Sozial- und Arbeitsrechtsstandard hinnehmen zu müssen, übernimmt MERCOSUR die aktive Hauptrolle in Lateinamerika in den Verhandlungen mit den USA. In der WTO-Ordnung mit einer quasi-obligatorischen Gerichtsbarkeit, welche kaum Umwelt- und Menschenrecht einbezieht, sollte MERCOSUR die Politik des dritten Weges mit anderen Entwicklungsländern führen um einen Weg mit quasi der Entwicklung und Umsetzung einer neuen Wirtschafts- und Gesellschaftsordnung, die Umwelt- und Menschenrecht garantieren soll, zu gewährleisten.

The Shaping of EU-Mercosur Relations: From Altruism to Pragmatism and Liberalism to Illiberalism. Pittsburgh Papers on the European Union Vol. 1, (2012)

Deeply-embedded norms of liberalism and protectionism alongside EU policies focusing on promoting development and regional integration have shaped EU-Mercosur relations. These stand in stark contrast to the policies of the US, the historic hegemon in the region. This paper utilizes historical institutionalism to understand how the liberal tenets of EU competition policy and the protectionism of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have affected EU-Mercosur relations. Particular foci include Spain’s role in spearheading efforts to promote EU-Latin American relations and the way EU competition policies directed against monopolies in Europe spurred increased investment in Latin America, especially the Southern Cone. The latter prompted the EU to forge closer ties with Mercosur, encouraged cooperation and development programs and spurred regional integration and liberal trade regimes in Latin America.

The Interregional Association Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur: Is the Timing Right? Bruges Political Research Papers 46/2015.

The European Union (EU) and Mercosur talks have been stalled since discussions were resumed in 2000. Recurring protectionist and institutional obstacles have slowed down negotiations. The financial crisis, however, has resulted in low domestic demand in the EU. This has made the interregional association agreement (IAA) with Mercosur more attractive. The loss of the Generalized Scheme of Preference (GSP) status and the lack of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU have both disadvantaged Mercosur. A further window of opportunity is opening up in Mercosur. In Brazil, there have been cries for a change in government. In Argentina, presidential elections will take place in October 2015 and will assuredly bring an end to Kirchnerismo. A change in leadership in both countries is expected to make agreement more likely. Protectionist policies are not expected to remain as high if there is change in government. This will provide the EU with an opportunity to advance the negotiations and conclude the IAA.