Abstract
This paper reviews the 1989 U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the costs and benefits to Canada. It discusses the purpose of the agreement and criticisms of CFTA as subjecting Canada to U.S. cultural imperialism. The author contends that the elimination of tariffs is a positive aid to the Canadian economy.

From the Paper
"The Effect on Canada of the Free Trade Agreement. The Canada-U S Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) became effective on January. The primary purpose of the agreement was to create a trading zone free of prohibitive and protective tariffs between the two countries. While ..."

Tags:U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, CFTA

Abstract
The paper explores three questions which all seek to place the recent softwood lumber agreement within the context of the current free trade regime between Canada and the United States. Particularly, the paper looks at what the recent agreement means for Canada in general, as well delineating why free trade is seen in some quarters as a terrible thing for Canada while other groups feel free trade with the United States is desirable and necessary.

From the Paper
"Describe the proposed Softwood Lumber Agreement, how the interests of the federal and provincial governments differ, and the respective roles of the federal and provincial governments in implementing the agreement. Answer: As with most trade issues involving Canada and the United States, it appears at first glance as though the Softwood Lumber Agreement was designed to help Canadian exporters gain entry into America despite U.S. protectionist sentiment and despite the fact that U.S. lobbyists are not usually comfortable with foreign goods entering the domestic market that..."

Tags:softwood, lumber, agreement

Abstract
This paper discusses the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was was introduced in 1994. It examines how, before and after its introduction, there were many concerns that it would be harmful and not helpful and how, despite these concerns, it was introduced. It looks at how, almost ten years later, it appears that the NAFTA has been a big success. While there are also some negatives, the benefits are so great that the few problems are minor. It considers NAFTA to show where it came from, what it achieves, and what benefits it has provided.

Outline
First Stages of the North American Free Trade Agreement
An Overview of the North American Free Trade Agreement
A Brief History of the North American Free Trade Agreement
The Successes of the North American Free Trade Agreement
Economic Benefits
Manufacturers
Agriculture
Benefits for all Businesses
Global Trading
Environment
Labor
Consumers
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The NAFTA began in 1990 when President George Bush announced that one of the government's goals was to establish a free trade zone for the Americas. At this time, free trade agreements had been created in other parts of the world for some time. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was created in 1960 and had been working on creating a European free trade zone since then. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was created in 1967 and had been working on creating free trade zones across Asia since then. In 1990, this was giving European and Asian countries an advantage that America did not have. This resulted in Bush's plan to create a North American trade zone."

Tags:environment, mexico, agriculture, labor, environment

Abstract
The paper relates that the recent free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea is expected to have a significant effect on both large and small agricultural producers in both countries. The paper discusses how huge agribusiness companies in both countries expect to increase their profits because of this agreement, but smaller American and South Korean agricultural producers may be harmed. The paper explains that consequently, South Korean farmers have been protesting against this free trade agreement because they are concerned it will have a negative economic impact on them.

From the Paper
"The recent free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea is expected to have a significant effect on both large and small agricultural producers in both countries. Huge agribusiness companies in both countries expect to increase their profits because of this agreement, but smaller American and South Korean agricultural producers may be harmed. Consequently, South Korean farmers have been protesting against this free trade agreement because they are concerned it will have a..."

Tags:u.s., korea, trade

Abstract
This paper discusses the World Trade Organization agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which is also known as TRIPs. The paper first discusses the history of the agreement and the aspects that the laws encompass. The paper then focuses on how the TRIPs agreement has changed the way medicines are handled in the international community.

From the Paper
"The TRIPs agreement has changed the way medicines are handled in the international community and has also changed the way intellectual property rights are handled. The compulsory licensing provision has made it possible for people in less fortunate countries to produce their own anti-AIDS drugs, since they are so expensive to get from other countries. This was done in an attempt to neutralize the monopoly that developed countries have on this industry, but it has thus far not been successful. WTO member nations are constantly looking to outdo one another economically, which leads to many disputes between member nations. With this agreement, countries can produce patented material without permission if the circumstances are right. While this is a step in the right direction, many member countries still cannot afford to produce the vast amounts of medicine that is needed to end these health epidemics. Likewise, parallel importing has created a system where countries can shop around for the best prices on certain products and are not forced to purchase these products directly from the manufacturer. The international community should support one another in order to ensure that proper healthcare is available to all countries who have signed in to the WTO because only this will ensure the long term survival of the pact."

Tags:copyright, royalties, theft, production

Abstract
This paper explains WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), negotiated in the 1986-94 Uruguay round of talks, which introduced intellectual property rules into the multilateral trading system for world-wide trade, apply to all WTO member countries and protect copyrights, trademarks, geographical indication, industrial design, patents, and trade secrets. The author points out that TRIPS had a unequal impact on developed and developing countries because the developing countries rely more on the production and export of consumable goods, while the developed countries, particularly the European Union and United States, rely on export-based revenues from copyright licensing, which means the TRIPS Agreement actually works against the developing countries by driving up their import bills and resulting in greater transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich countries. The paper recommends that a completely new international trade agreement should be negotiated; the developing countries should be well-advised to be better prepared and more assertive in the next round of trade negotiations and should be better off if they avoid the temptation of accepting short-term gains in exchange for long-term losses.

Table of Contents
Overview of TRIPS
Basic Principles
Transition Period
Areas of Application
Enforcement
Impact of TRIPS on Developing Countries
Application of TRIPS on Medicines
Biopiracy
Terminator Crops
Why Did the Developing Countries Agree to TRIPS?
The Other Side of the Picture
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Even low-technology products, e.g., as brand-name clothing and agricultural products such as new varieties of grains and plants have value-added to them due to research, design and innovation. Creators of such products, whether they are companies, individuals or nations, ought to have the right to stop others from using their 'brainchild' and to have the right to negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation if others desire to use their inventions. Such rights have come to be known as "intellectual property rights." It is generally acknowledged that the protection of "intellectual rights" is an incentive for innovation that benefits the society as a whole."

Tags:multilateral, protect, biopiracy, unequal, re-negotiate

Abstract
This paper extensively analyzes the bottom line of the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Though the paper looks at the agreement from both participant-country's perspectives, it lingers more on the Philippine's viewpoint - a show of how third-world countries are not really disadvantaged despite some downsides. The paper then takes a turn and looks at the entirety of bilateral agreements to judge their effectiveness, in light of this example.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
A Closer Look at JPEPA
Issue against JPEPA
Final Judgment on JPEPA

From the Paper
"Both Japan and Philippines realize the importance of Information and Communications Technolgy (ICT) in local and international businesses today. Because of this, JPEPA proposes to promote the development of ICT through electronic commerce, promoting the use of ICT-related services to consumers, human resource development related to ICT, formulation and development of network security system and research and development. If these are properly implemented, then more people will be expected to have a better knowledge in applying ICT."

Tags:electronic, liberalization, tariffs, oversea, workers, benefits

Abstract
This paper discusses the history and effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It describes the aims of NAFTA, as well as how it was to implement its agreements. It then looks at some of the many positive outcomes from the NAFTA agreement, particularly the economic growth of the three nations involved, and briefly describes the reasons for some of the strong opposition to NAFTA.

From the Paper
"It is hard to overlook the fact that since NAFTA was signed, there has been economic growth in all three nations, and a huge increase in the standard of living in Canada and Mexico. NAFTA has helped to integrate these three economies. Canada and Mexico have benefited the most with a free trade with the largest economy in the world, while the U.S. has gained rewards from the unhindered access to the Canadian and Mexican markets and products. Imports have grown under NAFTA, but more importantly, U.S. exports have grown tremendously and without NAFTA the U.S. would not have had these expanded export opportunities. NAFTA serves as a model and foundation for U.S. efforts to achieve trade liberalization. This will help the move toward a free flow of agricultural products between more countries. Negotiations are underway with the U.S. and Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua will strip away remaining trade barriers, eliminate tariffs, open markets and promote investment and economic growth for all countries involved."

Tags:exports, economies, tariff, market

Abstract
Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that the U.S. would strive to create a Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) to promote economic development as a means of reducing poverty, thus eliminating a major source of anti-Americanism. However, the political stipulations attached to MEFTA have diminished the ability for its immediate creation. This paper shows that, instead, recent attention has been given to creating multiple, bilateral, free trade agreements, which will eventually agglomerate into MEFTA. Egypt has long been one of the closest Arab allies for the U.S. and is the most important political force in the Arab world. The paper explains that, without the creation of a bilateral free trade agreement with Egypt, the expansion of MEFTA is unlikely. That being said, creating a free trade agreement with Egypt is fraught with complications and equally endowed with opportunity. The issue remains contentious, yet practical, given the appropriate support. Most importantly, it offers an opportunity to redirect the course of Arab-American relations toward a more symbiotic course.

From the Paper
"The paradox of Egypt, being one of the world's oldest civilizations, having relations with the world's newest global power, the United States, offers an intriguing respite in the arena of international affairs. In recent years, many countries have made mutually beneficial trade a top priority of their foreign policy. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the European Union (EU), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and others have all proven both the merit and the inherent dangers of free trade. While the industrialized regions of the world have taken the lead and reaped the early benefits of extended free trade, many developing regions, notably the Middle East have been neglecting the opportunity. Now, with the proposition of a United States-Egypt Free Trade Act, supported by President Bush's plan for a Middle East Free Trade Area and the existing US-Egyptian Trade and Investment Framework Agreement as well as precedent-making Free Trade Acts with other Arab countries, the possibility for a significant change in the economic relationship between the United States and Egypt is at hand. Hence, taking into consideration the gravity of the current circumstances of international affairs in the region in addition to the economic implications, the United States and Egypt should pursue a free trade agreement with provisions to make it mutually beneficial as a mechanism of development and benevolence."

Tags:american, economic, terrorism, NAFTA

Abstract
Implemented on January 1, 1994, NAFTA, which stands for North American Free Trade Agreement, established free trade between the North American countries of United States, Canada and Mexico. This paper examines how there are many advantages such as the elimination of tariffs and how it has brought economic growth and raised the standard of living. It also looks at some of the disadvantages to the agreement such as deficits to the United States and a fear over loss of jobs to foreign workers.

From the Paper
"There was some strong opposition to NAFTA coming from individuals and organizations. The strongest opposition came from labor unions. Labor unions in Canada and the U.S. feared that jobs would move out of the country due to lower labor costs in Mexico. Some people felt that it undermined small American companies and millions of American Jobs would go the underpaid workers in third world countries. Workers in the manufacturing industries felt threatened about their place in the industry. The big question was whether it would be more beneficial to the United States to let the low-wage jobs go to Mexico workers, and put more resources into building up the high-tech and service industries. "

Tags:canada, mexico, tariffs, deficit, jobs