FREE TRADE FOR THE AMERICAS?: THE UNITED STATES' PUSH FOR THE FTAA AGREEMENT; ED. BY PAULO VIZENTINI

This book focuses on one of the most strategic developments in international trade-the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas Agreement-due for completion in 2005. This US initiative aims to replicate the NAFTA Agreement across all 34 countries of South and North America (except Cuba). This volume explains the origins and ongoing process of the negotiations and explains why the US wants to expand its NAFTA model. It makes clear that investment protection, in addition to trade, is at the heart of the new agreement. And it examines in-depth the possible consequences for Mercosur, Brazil, and the region's many small economies. The face of international trade is continuing to change rapidly. But while much attention is focused on where, post-Cancun, any new international negotiations under the auspices of the WTO may go, there are other developments of potentially equal importance. The United States, in particular, is prioritizing new regional trade agreements. This book focuses on the most ambitious of these negotiations -- the Free Trade Area of the Americas Agreement, which is due to be completed in 2005. This US initiative aims to replicate the NAFTA Agreement (which has bound the US, Canada and Mexico into a free trade area since 1994) across all 34 countries of South and North America (bar Cuba). This huge continental market is to be built around US-defined notions of free trade and protection of foreign investment, but will exclude the free movement of labour. This volume explains the origins and process of the negotiations -- both the complicated multilateral discussions and the bilateral agreements that have already been drafted. It explains in detail: * US strategy. * The structures and procedures of the Agreement. * The possible consequences for South America, including: Mercosur; Brazil, as Latin America's largest economy; and the region's many small economies, which cannot possibly compete on a level playing field with the US behemoth. * The wider implications of the FTAA for the global trading system, in particular for China, Japan and the EU. This book -- the first comprehensive, in-depth study of the FTAA -- will be of use to trade specialists, international economists, and all those interested in the FTAA, about which very little information is readily available in the public domain. This Book, The First In-depth Study Of The Ftaa, Will Be Of Use To Trade Specialists, International Economists, And All Those Interested In The Ftaa, About Which Very Little Information Is Readily Available In The Public Domain.--book Jacket. The Ftaa And Us Strategy : A Southern Point Of View / Paulo Vizentini -- The Us, The Ftaa, And The Parameters Of Global Governance / Dorval Brunelle -- Through The Looking Glass : A Canadian Perspective On The Nafta As A Forerunner To The Ftaa / Marc Lee -- The Puzzle Of Institutionalizing A Free Market Continental Zone : The Nuts And Bolts Of The Ftaa / Michel Duquette And Maxime Rondeau -- The Forgotten Society : Lack Of Transparency And Democracy / Marianne L. Wiesebron -- Social And Economic Rights Within The Context Of The Ftaa / Jorge Witker -- Brazil, Mercosur, The Ftaa And Europe / Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães -- Brazil's Strategy Toward The Ftaa / Jan Van Rompay -- Ftaa : Implications For The World Trade System / Pitou Van Dijck -- The Ftaa Versus The Eu Association Agreements / Willy J. Stevens -- The Impact Of The Ftaa On Japan And China / Kurt W. Radtke -- China's Reaction And Strategy Towards The Creation Of The Ftaa / Yang Zerui -- Effects Of The Ftaa On Japan / Mitsuhiro Kagami. Edited By Paulo Vizentini And Marianne Wiesebron. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 220-232) And Index. The face of international trade is changing rapidly. But while much attention is focused on the new post-Doha round of WTO negotiations, there are other important developments. This book focuses on one of the most strategic - the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas Agreement.