Pacific Alliance Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the Pacific Alliance?
regional trade bloc formed in 2011
What is it’s main purpose?
promote economic integration, free trade, and cooperation among Latin American countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.
Which countries are the founding members?
Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru
What year was the Alliance officially launched?
June 2012 with the signing of the Framework Agreement in Antofagasta, Chile.
How is the Pacific Alliance different from organizations like MERCOSUR?
market-oriented, liberal, and open to Asia-Pacific trade, while MERCOSUR is generally more protectionist and politically diverse.
How economically significant is the Alliance?
40% of Latin America’s GDP and is the eighth-largest economy in the world as a bloc.
Which countries are observers or associate members?
U.S., Canada, Japan, and several EU states. Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada
How does Liberalism interpret the Pacific Alliance?
economic interdependence, free markets, and institutional cooperation to promote peace and prosperity.
What would a Realist say about the Alliance?
strategic move to enhance bargaining power in global trade and hedge against regional instability and external actors like China or the U.S..
What would Constructivism emphasize about the Alliance?
shared identity shift among liberal-leaning, Pacific-oriented states seeking to redefine Latin American cooperation away from traditional blocs.
What has the Alliance done to promote people mobility?
Visa-free travel among member states, Student exchange programs, Mutual recognition of academic and professional degrees
What has the Alliance accomplished so far?
Elimination of 92% of tariffs among members, Joint embassies in select countries, Coordinated responses to COVID-19, trade promotion, and digital integration
What are some criticisms or limitations?
Uneven economic development, Political shifts (e.g., changes in governments may alter priorities), Overlap with other Latin American organizations
Why is the Pacific Alliance geopolitically important?
bridge between Latin America and Asia, promotes liberal economic values, and acts as a counterbalance to more protectionist blocs like MERCOSUR.
