The alliance of the Pacific: A new instrument of Latin American and Caribbean economic integration?

Abstract

This chapter considers a selected number of the structure and aims of the Alliance of the Pacific (the Alliance). It evaluates some of its key features and provides an outline of its background, internal structure and functioning. It takes the MERCOSUR as a point of reference where appropriate, since a conceptual comparison between a MERCOSUR-type free trade area and an Alliance-type free trade area can show the relative uniformity of these types of trading conglomerates but also their functional diversities. The second part of the chapter endeavours to assess the Alliance’s effectiveness in the achievement of its statutory aims and, where possible, will discuss some proposals for reformulating the structure and functioning of the Alliance’s agreement.