Issues in Hemispheric Trade and Investments.

The creation of hemispheric trading in the Americas has been a long-term dream. Market-oriented reforms implemented by Latin American economies in the 1990s, in addition to widespread democratic regimes in the region, have opened a window of opportunity for economic integration. In November of 2002, a new president, Luis Inacio da Silva, was elected in Brazil. The interaction between Luis Inacio da Silva (Lula) and George W. Bush will largely determine the format and timing of the hemispheric Free Trade Area for the Americas (FTAA), extending from the Yukon to Patagonia. This hemispheric economic integration initiative suggests a number of opportunities and challenges for the 34 countries involved in unifying markets across the Americas. Brazil and the U.S. will play a vital role in any attempt to integrate Latin American markets. The dynamics of the coexistence between these two countries will largely decide the future of the Free Trade Area for the Americas (FTAA) initiative.the Yukon to Patagonia. This hemispheric economic integration initiative suggests a number of opportunities and challenges for the 34 countries involved in unifying markets across the Americas. Brazil and the U.S. will play a vital role in any attempt to integrate Latin American markets. The dynamics of the coexistence between these two countries will largely decide the future of the Free Trade Area for the Americas (FTAA) initiative. the Yukon to Patagonia. This hemispheric economic integration initiative suggests a number of opportunities and challenges for the 34 countries involved in unifying markets across the Americas. Brazil and the U.S. will play a vital role in any attempt to integrate Latin American markets. The dynamics of the coexistence between these two countries will largely decide the future of the Free Trade Area for the Americas (FTAA) initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]