Trade and Economics
Trade issues have mobilized civil society groups throughout the Americas, causing disputes within governments and ruling coalitions. Because trade-related reforms take place in the context of economic dislocations throughout the region, they have generated unprecedented debate over winners and losers in the process of globalization.
Issues in this Series
The Cuban Economy: Recent Trends
This publication examines the contemporary state of Cuba’s economy at a time of great transformation through the use of econometric and other macroeconomic analysis tools.
China, Latin America, and the United States: The New Triangle
This report explores the impact of China's growth on particular countries and on the region as a whole, the degree of partnership or competition with China, and the benefits as well as disadvantages of greater economic engagement between China and countries of the Western Hemisphere.
Cuban Agriculture and Necessary Transformations
This publication examines the importance of the agricultural sector in the Cuban economy and the need for a more efficient model for analyzing agricultural and livestock production. It further suggests some measures for addressing the urgent need of reform in the agricultural sector.
Cuban Monetary Policy: Response to the Global Crisis
This article analyzes the transmission mechanisms of the global crisis on variables that pertain to Cuban monetary policy.
The External Sector of the Cuban Economy
This document examines the current state of Cuba's foreign trade, the development of international tourism, and Cuba's foreign investments and external finances.
A New Trade Policy for the United States: Lessons from Latin America
The papers contained in this report address some of the most important questions regarding FTAs and U.S. trade policy. The authors make recommendations regarding issues of labor, environment, poverty reduction, trade competitiveness and economic development.
Brazil as a Regional Power: Views from the Hemisphere
This report, based on a conference organized by the Latin American Program and the Brazil Institute, summarizes the multiple and complex perceptions held by Brazilians as well as a host of other countries in the region regarding Brazil's "emergence" as a regional and global power.
An Analysis of Trends: Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Growth and the Environment, 2010–2020
USAID partnered with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars to identify and analyze key challenges and opportunities for development assistance in the LAC region through 2020. This paper summarizes the key trends identified and proposes some general lines of action for USAID's Missions in the region.
Caught in a Global Hurricane: Debating the Caribbean's Development Challenges in an Uncertain World
A report from a March 2009 conference that discussed four topics: Trade and Financial Development, Climate Change and Natural Disasters, Security Issues for the Caribbean, and U.S.-Cuba-CARICOM Relations.
La economía política del tratado de libre comercio entre Perú y Estados Unidos
This publication explores the significance of the implementation of the US-Peru free trade agreement for the Peruvian political economy. The work is a result of an August 29 and 30, 2008 conference in Lima, co-sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson Center's Latin American Program and the Centro de Investigaciones de la Universidad del Pacífico.
The Outlook for Energy Reform in Latin America
In July of 2009, four experts from the region convened to talk about their perspectives on the potential for reform in four leading oil producing nations: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. This paper provides a summary of the event, and in doing so evaluates the current climate for significant reform in these four Latin American nations.
La economía política de la inserción internacional del Uruguay
This report reviews three panels that discussed Uruguay on topics such as MERCOSUR, free trade with the United States and other countries, and the economic opportunity for Uruguay.
The Political Economy of Uruguayan International Insertion
This report explores policy choices and constraints Uruguay's policy makers are confronting. Policy options such as a free trade agreement with the United States, reforms to the MERCOSUR customs union, and other trade alternatives are debated. In addition, experts analyze consequences of Uruguayan trade policy choices.
Iran in Latin America: Threat or 'Axis of Annoyance'?
The essays in this report reflect an effort to provide background and context for understanding Iran's relations with Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela; the articles emphasize the foreign policy objectives and strategies of Latin American nations as well as the strategic objectives of the Iranian government. Originally presented at a conference at the Woodrow Wilson Center in July 2008, the papers have since been revised, translated, and updated.
Poverty, Inequality and the New Left in Latin America
This is a research paper commissioned for the conference, by Argentine economist Nora Lustig, who provides an overview of trends in poverty and inequality throughout Latin America, comparing left and non-left governments, as well as left governments and their non-leftist predecessors in their own countries.
Energy and Development in South America: Conflict and Cooperation
In November 2007, experts on energy convened to discuss the role of energy resources as an instrument of cooperation or conflict in South America. The report explores the effects of the political and economic policy decisions of important energy producers on other energy-dependent, Latin American states.
The Social and Economic Dimensions of Conflict and Peace in Colombia
Three experts share their views on reports from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program and discuss the humanitarian toll of the conflict in Colombia.
The Strategic Dynamics of Latin American Trade
The diversity of Latin American trade agreements established since the mid-1980s reflects a broadening range of strategic perceptions and orientations. The argument of this volume is that this increasing divergence among the arrangements reflects fundamental and growing differences among their broader strategic perceptions and political and economic objectives.
Repensando la Argentina: Antes de diciembre de 2001 y más allá de mayo de 2003
On April 3, 2003, meeting participants discussed economic policies, Argentina's position in world affairs, Argentine democracy and political parties, culture, education, human rights and civil society. The open discussion led to this publication.
Illegal Drugs, Economy, and Society in the Andes
Some countries develop illegal drug industries, and others do not. Discerning the distinguishing characteristics -- social, economic, and political -- of countries with these industries forms the subject of this sophisticated and humane study. Order this book from Johns Hopkins University Press.
Mercosur and the Creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas
Summary and examination of negotiations aimed at the creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, with special attention to the positions of Mercosur countries.
The Road to Elections 2003: Argentina's Economic Future
This publication presents a summary of a conference on the economic future of Argentina.
Paths to Regional Integration: The Case of MERCOSUR
A conference was hosted on November 9, 2000 to discuss the implications of regional integration, drawing on the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) as a case study. This volume includes several papers presented at the conference that address MERCOSUR's development, economic and political importance, and efforts to effect a "relaunching" of the common market enterprise.
Mexico in Transition
This volume offers several of the presentations from a May 2000 this conference which address political and social transition in Mexico, new directions in economic policy, and the changing nature of U.S.-Mexico relations.
