The Impact of Free Trade Agreements on the Pattern of Trade

This document discusses the impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and their effect on the pattern of trade. Specifically, this document addresses trade liberalization, preferential tariff liberalization, and obstacles to market access liberalization. This document is based on chapter 3 of the IDB report "Economic and Social Progress in Latin America: Beyond Borders: The New Regionalism in Latin America" (IPES-2003) and was presented at the Regional Policy Dialogue of the Meeting of the Trade and Integration Network held on May 29th and 30th, 2003 in Washington, DC.