New regionalism tendencies and the impact on world trade

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Multilateralism vs. Regionalism
2.1 Regional Trade Agreements – Types and Development
2.2 GATT Regulations
3 New Regionalism – Impact on World Trade
3.1 Positive vs. Negative Effects
3.2 Winners and Losers
3.3 NAFTA effects on the Mexican and the World economy
4 Conclusion
5 Bibliography


In 2009 German exports totaled 816 billion Euros in value. (EU Observer, 2010).During the 20th century cross-border trade has become one of the defining parameters for many economies and their enterprises in order to achieve competitive advantages. In most countries international trade represents a significant share of the gross domestic product (see figure 1, p.5). Free trade policies have set the base for these global economic integration tendencies.This essay examines the desirability of regional economic integration in comparison to the multilateral trade approach promoted by the World Trade Organization (WTO). In specific it discusses the question whether regionalism encourages or discourages trends towards free trade on a global basis.