Overview of regional trade negotiations and agreements. The IJI is an analytical compilation of regulatory texts, commentaries, and follow-up on legal commitments and developments concerning the various integration processes taking place in Latin America and the Caribbean. For news and to learn more about recent progress on trade agreements and negotiations, visit IJI.
This month’s trends
In October and November 2016, the regional trade policy agenda was overshadowed by expectations around the US presidential elections and the ensuing potential return to protectionist policies. At the regional level, there was greater dynamism within existing agreements and both intra- and extraregional trade agreements. The most noteworthy examples of this include Peru, which began negotiation processes with extraregional partners; Chile, which has continued to expand its trade agreements; Ecuador, which is negotiating alternative tariff schemes with the EU with only a few months to go before the preferences it currently enjoys expire; and Uruguay, which is continuing to broaden the horizons of its negotiations. The Pacific Alliance is still spearheading the region’s integration schemes.
360º Panorama
Over the course of the month, progress was made on 26 existing agreements and 11 trade negotiations.
New Negotiations
- Peru–Indonesia: APEC: Peru and Indonesia complete study for the negotiation of a trade agreement (link in Spanish)
- Uruguay–China Uruguay and China set 2018 for an FTA (link in Spanish)
Advanced Negotiations
- Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP): 15th round of TTIP negotiations concludes although the outlook is uncertain (link in Spanish)
- Central America–South Korea: Korea–Central America FTA negotiations continue (link in Spanish)
- Colombia–Japan: Japan has what Colombia needs and Colombia has what Japan needs: Shinzo Abe (link in Spanish)
- Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC): CELAC–EU agree to tackle tax evasion (link in Spanish)
- Ecuador–El Salvador: Ecuador to sign trade agreements with El Salvador and Honduras (link in Spanish)
- MERCOSUR–European Union: EU–MERCOSUR negotiations: “A multifaceted challenge” (link in Spanish)
Selected news on trade agreements currently in force
- Pacific Alliance: Pacific Alliance and MERCOSUR, an ideal blueprint for regional integration (link in Spanish),22nd round of Pacific Alliance technical group meetings (link in Spanish), Honduras requests entry to the Pacific Alliance (link in Spanish)
- Association of Caribbean States: Cuba chairs preparatory meeting for Caribbean ministers (link in Spanish)
- Chile–South Korea: Chile and South Korea launch expansion of their FTA (link in Spanish)
- Chile–Hong Kong SAR: Chile and Hong Kong, China, sign supplementary investment agreement (link in Spanish)
- Peru–People’s Republic of China: The ties that bind Chile and China constitute “a strategic relationship,” Bachelet says (link in Spanish)
- Colombia–Northern Triangle: Colombia increases exports to Guatemala by 16.3% following free trade agreement (link in Spanish)
- MERCOSUR–SACU: MERCOSUR to negotiate tariff cuts with southern African countries before the end of the year (link in Spanish)
- Mexico–European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Mexico and Switzerland sign bilateral agreements (link in Spanish)
- Mexico–Brazil ECA 53: Mexico and Brazil hold 5th round of negotiations to expand ECA 53 (link in Spanish)
- Central American Integration System (SICA): Honduras–Guatemala customs union to be fully operational by mid-2017 (link in Spanish), Panama enters Central American customs union (link in Spanish)
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): Mexican and Canadian presidents to discuss NAFTA strategy (link in Spanish)
Venezuela–El Salvador A 25 TM 27: Venezuela and El Salvador commit to enhancing economic cooperation (link in Spanish)
