U.S. trade policy : still waiting for a "21st Century Trade Agreement"

Date

2011

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Red Latinoamericana de Política Comercial (LATN), Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO), Buenos Aires, AR

Abstract

Drawing on the recommendations from the Task Force on North American Trade Policy, the paper argues that free trade agreements (FTA) with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama, and the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) remain locked in the NAFTA model. This approach fails to account for asymmetries among trading partners and restricts the policy space of developing country partners. It also elevates the rights of investors and multinational firms, while failing to ensure the livelihoods and rights of working people. Recognition of key labor and environmental accords and enhanced enforcement mechanisms improve on the NAFTA template, but there remains a strong economic impetus for a “race to the bottom.”

Description

Keywords

RESEARCH NETWORKS, REGIONAL INTEGRATION, TRADE AGREEMENTS, TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, TRADE LIBERALIZATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WEALTH DISTRIBUTION, INCOME DISTRIBUTION, UNITED STATES, NAFTA, TRADE POLICY, GLOBAL SOUTH, NORTH-SOUTH RELATIONS, INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Citation

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