Most researchers focus on the political economy (interest group pressures) approach to analyzing why customs unions are formed, but terms-of-trade effects were also important in formation of the Common Market of the Southern Cone (Mercosur). Terms-of-trade externalities among Mercosur's members...

In the first half of 2001, the government of Argentina undertook some changes in the import tariffs of some products, eroding the Common External Tariff (CET) of Mercosur. In particular, the tariff rates of capital goods were reduced to zero, an action with potential negative implications for...

The South American customs union known as Mercosur has contributed significantly to regional trade liberalization. But by encouraging trade within the group at the expense of trade with nonmembers, Mercosur may limit member countries' access to high-technology imports, an important stimulus to...

El volumen presenta los resultados de una conferencia sobre la integracion comercial del hemisferio occidental, en la cual se dio un intercambio de perspectivas entre economistas y cientistas politicos latinoamericanos y canadienses sobre los diversos aspectos de los acuerdos comerciales en la...

This concluding chapter, rather than summarize the findings of the preceding ones, aims at shedding some light on what may lie ahead for MERCOSUR, looking at three different challenges: the role and functioning of the MERCOSUR Parliament; the enlargement process started with the accession of...