Free Trade Agreements: US Strategies and Priorities

• DOI: 10.1355/ae22-3h
• Publication Date: 2007-08-23T08:43:24Z
• Authors: Rahul Sen
• Keywords: 8. Economic growth; 1. No poverty; 16. Peace & justice

Free Trade Agreements: US Strategies and Priorities. Edited by Jeffrey J. Schott. Washington D.C.: Institute for International Economics (HE), 2004. Pp. 450. This volume is the outcome of an HE programme on free trade agreements (FTAs) U.S. policy launched in May 2003. It analyses motives, incentives, objectives behind proliferation FTAs involving United States, strategies priorities that States should adopt pursuing its FTAs. one few books provides in-depth analysis into experience with existing FTAs, as well new proposed initiatives countries different parts world. excellent insights foreign extent to which political economic define agenda. The book fairly lengthy, consisting thirteen chapters divided six sections. first section a general assessment their implications multilateral trading system. second section, three chapters, assesses North American Agreement (NAFTA) countries, Israel, Jordan, Chile, most recently Singapore among ASEAN economies. next sections assess ongoing Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa Middle East respectively. final FTA some interesting conclusions basis several criteria chosen shaping policy. There also appendix undertakes quantitative impacts these partner countries. Section I devotes exclusively age-old debate question whether are building or stumbling blocks global trade. seems be agreement likely beneficial when they have comprehensive coverage, if rules origin simple requirements compliance kept minimum, members committed advance reforms WTO. highlights there potential downside risks terms possible failure system, avoided at all costs since would significantly developing comments end this strongly argue ensuring act complement, not third-best substitute II lessons from entering Herein, chapter earliest significant - NAFTA -involving Canada Mexico members, clearly limited impact economy, compared other members. important point success could been more far reaching development dimension including funding mechanisms promote were being included FTA. author views just arrangement, but foundation towards progress issues. U.S.-Israel U.S.-Jordan brings home opposed NAFTA, both primarily used tool, rather than agreement. debates has overridden agenda negotiating aptly warns scarce resources diverted negotiations do yield any substantial payoffs. In context, experiences significant, though combines U. …