![]() ![]() ![]() Additionally, the expansion of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has caused smaller regional agreements to become obsolete. There are more than one hundred regional trade agreements in place, a number that is continuously evolving as countries reconfigure their economic and political interests and priorities. Major Areas of Regional Economic Integration and Cooperation In the opening case study, you learned how the economic crisis in Greece is threatening not only the EU in general but also the rights of Greece and other member nations to determine their own domestic economic policies. Loss of national sovereignty. With each new round of discussions and agreements within a regional bloc, nations may find that they have to give up more of their political and economic rights.Sudden shifts in employment can tax the resources of member countries. Similarly, workers may move to gain access to better jobs and wages. Employment shifts and reductions. Countries may move production to cheaper labor markets in member countries.In essence, regional agreements have formed new trade barriers with countries outside of the trading bloc. In this sense, weaker companies can be protected inadvertently with the bloc agreement acting as a trade barrier. This may mean increased trade with a less efficient or more expensive producer because it is in a member country. Member countries may trade more with each other than with nonmember nations. Trade diversion. The flip side to trade creation is trade diversion.The cons involved in creating regional agreements include the following: Regional understanding and similarities may also facilitate closer political cooperation. Consensus and cooperation. Member nations may find it easier to agree with smaller numbers of countries.Employment opportunities. By removing restrictions on labor movement, economic integration can help expand job opportunities.Studies indicate that regional economic integration significantly contributes to the relatively high growth rates in the less-developed countries. Due to a reduction or removal of tariffs, cooperation results in cheaper prices for consumers in the bloc countries. Trade creation. These agreements create more opportunities for countries to trade with one another by removing the barriers to trade and investment.The pros of creating regional agreements include the following: Of course, there are pros and cons for creating regional agreements. ![]() Some trading blocs have resulted in agreements that have been more substantive than others in creating economic cooperation. A trade bloc is basically a free-trade zone, or near-free-trade zone, formed by one or more tax, tariff, and trade agreements between two or more countries. In the past decade, there has been an increase in these trading blocs with more than one hundred agreements in place and more in discussion. Economic union. This type is created when countries enter into an economic agreement to remove barriers to trade and adopt common economic policies.An example is the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The primary advantage to workers is that they no longer need a visa or work permit to work in another member country of a common market. Like customs unions, there is a common trade policy for trade with nonmember nations. Trade barriers are removed, as are any restrictions on the movement of labor and capital between member countries. Common market. This type allows for the creation of economically integrated markets between member countries.The primary difference from the free trade area is that members agree to treat trade with nonmember countries in a similar manner. Barriers to trade are removed between member countries. Customs union. This type provides for economic cooperation as in a free-trade zone.An example is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Member countries remove all barriers to trade between themselves but are free to independently determine trade policies with nonmember nations. Free trade area. This is the most basic form of economic cooperation.There are four main types of regional economic integration. Regional economic integration has enabled countries to focus on issues that are relevant to their stage of development as well as encourage trade between neighbors. Identify the major regional economic areas of cooperation.Understand regional economic integration.After reading this section, students should be able to … ![]()
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