In a game of endogenous trade agreements, we examine whether the pursuit of free trade agreements (FTAs) affects the prospects of global free trade differently than the pursuit of customs unions (CUs). Our analysis is driven by a fundamental difference between these two types of preferential...

During last years, Republic of Moldova launched a number of trade policy development initiatives in order to ensure a more facilitating legal framework for the economic and trade relations with the key external partners. Thus, an agreement on the establishment of a free trade area in the CIS was...

The signing of the free trade agreement with the EU requires the inclusion of Moldova in the European Economic Area, opening tremendous opportunities for our country regarding the access to goods and services offered on the European market and the development and promotion of implemented...

TThis paper examines in depth the use of free trade agreements (FTAs) in Thailand to shed light on the ongoing negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The key finding is that while certificate of origin records significantly increased over the period in...

The wrongly called free trade between the first economic Power in the world and a backword country as Colombia, based on the experience of the Free Trade Agreement (TLC) between Mexico and USA, is shown, in practice, as assuring structural disequilibrium for Colombian economy and society....

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the strategic forces shaping U.S.-Mexico trade relationships and the possibilities of extending the trade agreement to the rest of the Americas. The paper concludes that constituency interests, party loyalty, the proportion of a state's population of...

The European Union is currently negotiating ambitious free trade agreement with Japan, even though it long hesitated to launch such a negotiation. This article aims at analysing deeper changes in the EU’s commercial policy that enabled today’s interest in deeper and more complex regional...

The economic relations between the EU and the US are considered the most significant part of the global economy. With the size of trade with goods, services and Foreign Direct Investment, the transatlantic space creates a large of added value. Regarding the proximity and historical ties between...

South Africa showed strong macroeconomic performance owing to its sound policies, which aimed at raising economic growth and reducing poverty, within a stable macroeconomic, social, and political environment. Executive Directors commended the strong economic performance, sustainable fiscal...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Malaysia has been hit hard by the global downturn. The economy is set to contract for the first time in 10 years. Global turbulence has spilled into the domestic financial markets. Executive Directors have commended the Malaysian authorities for...