#TRADING BLOCS EXAMPLES FREE#

Member countries may trade more with each other than with nonmember nations. The flip side to trade creation is trade diversion. The cons involved in creating regional agreements include the following: Of course, there are pros and cons for creating regional agreements. Some trading blocs have resulted in agreements that have been more substantive than others in creating economic cooperation. A trade bloc is basically a free-trade zone, or near-free-trade zone, formed by one or more tax, tariff, and trade agreements between two or more countries. In the past decade, there has been an increase in these trading blocs with more than one hundred agreements in place and more in discussion. Europa, the Official Website of the European Union, accessed April 30, 2011.

This type is created when countries enter into an economic agreement to remove barriers to trade and adopt common economic policies. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa website, accessed April 30, 2011. An example is the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The primary advantage to workers is that they no longer need a visa or work permit to work in another member country of a common market. Like customs unions, there is a common trade policy for trade with nonmember nations. Trade barriers are removed, as are any restrictions on the movement of labor and capital between member countries. This type allows for the creation of economically integrated markets between member countries. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf website, accessed April 30, 2011.

#TRADING BLOCS EXAMPLES FREE#

The primary difference from the free trade area is that members agree to treat trade with nonmember countries in a similar manner. Barriers to trade are removed between member countries. This type provides for economic cooperation as in a free-trade zone. An example is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Member countries remove all barriers to trade between themselves but are free to independently determine trade policies with nonmember nations. This is the most basic form of economic cooperation.

There are four main types of regional economic integration. Regional economic integration has enabled countries to focus on issues that are relevant to their stage of development as well as encourage trade between neighbors.

Trading blocs examples