When trade ministers from the Americas gather for the Free Trade Area of
the Americas (FTAA) Ministerial in Miami November 20-21, U.S. Trade
Representative Robert Zoellick and his team of advisors are unlikely to
walk away with the agreements they seek. The FTAA is an ambitious
undertaking intended to link every country in the Western Hemisphere
(except Cuba) through a free-trade agreement covering a broad array of
issues.
Proponents argue that the accord would increase trade and economic growth
among the participating countries, leading to increased prosperity and
strengthened democracy throughout the region. But a large and growing
number of citizens organizations and some of the region's governments,
particularly Brazil, argue that such an agreement would devastate farmers,
working people and the environment, and consolidate the power of
transnational corporations.
There is currently very little consensus among the participating countries
about either the timing or the scope of the FTAA. The United States, along
with 12 other nations (those with which the U.S. either already has or is
negotiating bilateral trade deals), is pushing for the completion of an
ambitious and far-reaching accord for implementation by 2005. The countries
of the MERCOSUR, the South American common market led by Brazil and
Argentina, on the other hand, are advocating a scaled-back FTAA. Venezuela
and many Caribbean countries have also expressed misgivings about the
timing of the negotiations and their scope.
Problems with Current U.S. Policy
· The Bush administration plans to advance its trade agenda not only
through the FTAA, but also through sub-regional accords such as the
U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
· Proposals for an "investor-state" clause in the FTAA would give investors
the power to challenge national and local laws.
Expert FTAA Analysis/Key Background Information Available at:
www.americaspolicy.org:
· The United States and the FTAA: Time to Listen by Kevin P. Gallagher
www.americaspolicy.org/commentary/2003/03111ftaa-commentary.html
· The Mexican Farmers' Movement: Exposing the Myths of Free Trade by Laura
Carlsen, program director, IRC's Americas Program
www.americaspolicy.org/reports/2003/0302farm.html
· U.S.-Mexico Meeting on the Border Environment by Talli Nauman, IRC's
Americas Program
http://www.americaspolicy.org/citizen-action/series/07-encuentro.html
· MERCOSUR and the FTAA: New Tensions and New Options by Eduardo Gudynas,
http://www.americaspolicy.org/columns/gudynas/2003/0311mercosur.html
· Trade and Integration in the Americas" FTAA Regular or FTAA Light? by
Eduardo Gudynas
http://www.americaspolicy.org/columns/gudynas/2003/0311diet.html
· The Buenos Aires Consensus,
http://www.americaspolicy.org/articles/2003/0311consensus.html
· Citizen Groups, Governments, Seek Scaled Back FTAA at Miami Ministerial
by Karen Hansen-Kuhn,
http://www.americaspolicy.org/briefs/2003/0311ftaa.html
· Sustainability Assessments: Tools for Effective Trade Policy in the
Hemisphere, by Kevin P. Gallagher and Hernan Blanco,
http://www.americaspolicy.org/briefs/2003/0304sa.html
· Victory in Miami? Focusing Global Justice Efforts Beyond FTAA, by Mark
Engler,
http://www.fpif.org/papers/miami2003.html
· Challenging Trade Liberalization in the Americas, by Kristin E. Sampson,
IRC Americas Program,
http://www.americaspolicy.org/citizen-action/series/08-trade.html
Through our two key programs, Global Affairs and Americas Program, the IRC
provides independent, well-researched analysis of U.S. foreign policy,
rooted in progressive values, with an emphasis on fostering strategic
dialogue among academics, grassroots advocacy organizations, and
policymakers. A "virtual think tank," our global partners produce policy
briefs, commentaries and special reports on key foreign policy issues, most
of which are widely disseminated for free to constituents around the globe.
For more information, visit our website at
www.irc-online.org.
