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Journal of International Economic Law Advance Access published online on May 15, 2009
Journal of International Economic Law, doi:10.1093/jiel/jgp021
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© Oxford University Press 2009, all rights reserved

Revitalizing the US Trade Agenda in Latin America: Building on the FTA Platform

Anabel González*

* The author is senior consultant on trade and investment issues for the Inter-American Development Bank. She previously served as Director of the Agriculture Division in the World Trade Organization (2006–2009) and Costa Rica's Chief Negotiator for CAFTA-DR (2002–2004). E-mail: anabelgonzalez.cr{at}gmail.com.


  Abstract

The United States has invested heavily in the negotiation, approval and implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 12 countries in the Americas. This existing FTA platform should be the starting point to build a more enduring economic engagement with the region, one that would enhance the market-based opportunities that have allowed for the creation of a middle class in Latin America. This group is essential not only to reduction in poverty and inequality but also to political stability and support for democracy. The FTA platform can and should be improved and revitalized through a new trade policy aimed at (i) extending the current platform by finalizing pending FTAs and providing for its potential expansion in the future, (ii) making the FTA platform fully operational, (iii) integrating all of the pieces of the FTA platform into a unified whole, (iv) expanding the universe of those who benefit from the FTA platform while minimizing transitional costs and (v) strengthening the foundations on which the FTA platform is based. Trade is a key component of the relationship with these countries. The Obama Administration must seize the opportunity to lead the revitalization of the US partnership with the region.

The author is grateful to Grant Aldonas, Laura Dachner, Scott Miller and Bruce Wilson for their comments on an earlier version. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. The author welcomes feedback on this article.


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