NAFTA and Beyond: Research in the Integration of Economic Blocs in the Americas

• Main Authors: ChinMingHung, 洪進明
• Other Authors: Chu, Yen Ming
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2001
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/19406768572291153482

博士 === 中國文化大學 === 中山學術研究所 === 89 === Global trade liberalization has become a popular trend all over the world especially after the cold war. The successive integration and forming of regional trade and economic alliances resulted in massive trading of goods among those that are part of the alliance. This situation, therefore, not only affected those countries that are excluded from the alliance, but it eventually brought a strong negative impact particularly on Taiwan''s export-oriented economy. The U.S. is currently Taiwan''s biggest market for exports. The amount in which the U.S. imports from Taiwan directly influences Taiwan''s economy. Therefore, it is needless to say that Taiwan relies heavily and depends much on the U.S. for its exports. When the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) was effected in 1994, both Mexico and Canada took full advantage of the favorable tariffs and geographical advantage they have owned to penetrate the U.S. markets together. Other countries in the Americas that have been affected by NAFTA eventually formed economic integration among themselves and are enjoying the trade benefits as a result of their alliance. The economic integration in the Americas also brought a negative impact on Taiwan''s economy. As regional economic integrations continue to increase and be seen in the Americas today, Taiwan''s economy also continues to suffer and experience depression. The time has now come when Taiwan should take immediate action to continually be competitive in American trade markets. Strategies, such as joining World Trade Organization (WTO), signing suitable trade agreements, strengthening the competitiveness of local enterprises, improving the structure of financial system and marketing policies, can be adopted to upgrade its competitiveness and find out what its market niches in the Americas.