The EU and the US Competing for Mercosur - Trade Strategies and Political Goals

Nedanstående innehåll är skapat av Mimers Brunns besökare. Kommentera arbete

This dissertation explores the sources of power that the EU and US use in their relations with Mercosur. The theoretical framework is drawn from the complex interdependence theory. I analyse the EU and US trade strategies and political goals regarding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the EU-Mercosur, and the US-Mercosur countries. I argue that the EU uses economic and soft power in the FTA negotiations to promote a model of interregionalism by including technical cooperation and development which enhance Mercosur project. On the contrary, the US pursue a 'trade not aid' interregional strategy based on bilateral negotiations with the purpose of reducing the influence of regional blocs in the FTA negotiations. The US strategy constrains Brazil's aspirations of regional pre-eminence, the access of new members to Mercosur, and a further integration between Mercosur and the Andean countries. Despite the different strategies, the US and the EU relations with Mercosur face the same deadlock: the protection of their agricultural sectors vis-à-vis the manufacturing industry in Mercosur. If the EU does not make its agricultural policy more flexib...