United States Trade Developments 2012-2013

Abstract

United States Trade Developments, 2012-2013, provides an overview of the most relevant trade developments in the United States trade relations with Latin America and the Caribbean and the measures that inhibit the free flow of goods among countries in the Western Hemisphere. United States trade flows followed the slow down observed in world trade in 2012. United States exports grew 4.2 percent in 2012 as compared to 15 percent in 2011 and imports grew by 2.9 percent in 2012 versus 15 percent in 2011. This is the result of the slow growth and/or recession that affected the United States main trading partners and the appreciation of the U.S. dollar with respect to the currency of its main trading partners. The United States trade agenda continued to revolve around new trade partnerships with rapid emerging markets, deepening integration with existing trade partners, and broadening the scope of trade liberalization. The U.S. has been negotiating a high-standards broad trade agreement with eleven trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region, the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) and has launched negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the European Union. Completion of these two agreements will put the U.S. at the center of the world trade network and is expected to enhance its attractiveness for foreign direct investment. With respect to market access and trade inhibiting measures this year’s report addresses antidumping and countervailing cases, selected trade dispute settlement cases and agricultural support programs. This report also includes a brief discussion on the U.S. market for organic products, the structure of its regulatory system and potential for the region’s exports.