The new North American free trade agreement, now titled the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), is expected to enter into force in the coming months. Together, the three countries constitute the largest economic integration and trading bloc in the Western Hemisphere. The new agreement contains numerous provisions covering goods, technologies, and other advances in … [Read more...] about 7 key new features of the new North American Trade Agreement
The state of e-commerce in Latin America
Buddha, the prince who became a beggar, said that the only constant thing in life is change. Today, over 2,500 years after Buddha’s time on earth, the speed at which change is happening has never been faster. Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean is being transformed not just by the digital revolution but also by the growing risks associated with a synchronized cooling of … [Read more...] about The state of e-commerce in Latin America
How Trade and Training Can Boost Employment in Latin America
A recent IDB report found that while trade liberalization resulted in increased firm and labor productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last 30 years, boosting economic growth, it did not create as many new jobs or reduce inequality as expected. Liberalization in the 1980s and 1990s resulted in moderate negative impacts on labor markets. For example, a 2004 … [Read more...] about How Trade and Training Can Boost Employment in Latin America
Outlook for Latin American exports in 2020
A recent Inter-American Development Bank report, Trade Trends Estimates: Latin America and the Caribbean 2020, reveals that the value of exports from the region contracted by 2.4% in 2019 after two years of robust growth. The report forecasts that the downturn in exports will continue in the coming months due to slowing global demand, volatility of commodity markets, and … [Read more...] about Outlook for Latin American exports in 2020
After 30 years of trade liberalization, now what?
Over 30 years ago, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean embarked on a large-scale experiment to reintegrate into the global economy. After years of stagnation, international trade became the best bet for growth, creating jobs and closing the inequality gap. But in the heat of the political debate, many of the expectations went beyond what the evidence and solid … [Read more...] about After 30 years of trade liberalization, now what?