Americas


Bilateral deal-making involving governments of Latin America, the US and Canada.

last update: May 2012

Photo: rabble / CC BY-SA 2.0


Canada and Chile push gender equality through trade
Canada and Chile updated a 20-year-old free trade agreement by adding a groundbreaking clause on gender equality to encourage women's entrepreneurship and employment.
Ecuador withdraws from its remaining investment treaties
The withdrawal of Ecuador from these BITs responds to the final stage of a review process that started in 2008, and which had led to the establishment of a joint government-civil society audit commission.
US to ask Argentina to expedite approval for patenting of seeds
The opening of the US market to Argentine beef exports and its continued openness to biodiesel from this country will be made conditional on a demand that Argentina change its legislation to expedite the approval of patents on seeds waiting in the pipeline.
Auditing Commission to release report as Ecuador moves to terminate investment agreements
Ecuador’s review of its investment agreements may be unique in terms of scope, depth and citizen participation, however it is a part of an international trend towards increased scepticism towards the international arbitration system.
Interview with Elizabeth Swager and Julia DeGraw
Elizabeth Swager is a National Organizing Director at Citizens Trade Campaign and Julia DeGraw is the Senior Northwest Organizer at Food & Water Watch.
US and Vietnam renew trade dialogue during TIFA meetings
The US and Vietnam met under their Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to discuss deepening trade ties between the two nations as well as address outstanding bilateral trade issues.
EU offers Brexit trade talks, sets tough transition terms
The European Union offered Britain talks this year on a future free trade pact but made clear that London must first agree to EU demands on the terms of Brexit.
US, Laos hold first meeting under TIFA
The United States and Laos affirmed their interest in growing bilateral trade and investment‎ between them, committing to continue work on outstanding bilateral issues.
US, Afghanistan hold TIFA meeting, talk about trade
The U.S.-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council met in Kabul and discussed a wide array of trade and investment related topics.
United States’ free trade agreements: a silent (r)evolution?
The trade policy of the United States (U.S.) traditionally relied almost exclusively on multilateral negotiations. This changed in 1985 when the United States concluded a free trade agreement with Israel.

Referenced sites

Trrade for People and Planet

We want trade deals to be democratic, to benefit working people and the environment. We need to revolutionize the trade model and create a new global economy...

US-Japan Business Council

USJBC has been pushing for a US-Japan FTA

US State Department Office of Bilateral Trade Affairs

The Office of Bilateral Trade Affairs ensures that the overall foreign policy goals of the U.S. Government are factored into the development of U.S. bilatera...

USTR National Trade Estimate Report

Annual assessment of obstacles to US trade interests in foreign countries