When the European Union and the United States agreed on the Framework for Advancing Transatlantic Economic Integration at the EU-US Summit on 30 April 2007, creating the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC), they praised themselves for opening a new era in transatlantic regulatory cooperation....

The growing importance of regional integration, particularly in the Triad of Western Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, is not always regarded as positive, but is also criticized because of the dangers involved for free world trade. What effects on world trade are to be expected?...

As a result of the slight success achieved by many developing countries in their attempts to become integrated in the international division of labour and the growing fear of unilateral dependence upon the industrial nations, increased attention has been given in recent years to economic and...