Organization of American States

Regional Integration: Economic Policy

Relaciones Exteriores Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo Laredo

Andrea Grajeda Morales and Oziel Guerrero Benavides

South America is welcoming economic reforms that imply fiscal responsibility and stronger bilateral and multilateral agreements. These reforms, which include expanded trade areas and greater foreign direct investment in the region, aim to increase the South American bloc’s advantage in negotiations with its North American and European counterparts. In effect, South America can focus on economic and trade policies that can serve as stepping stones towards regional integration.

Bolivia is a landlocked country, and obtaining a sovereign coastal territory is its main geopolitical imperative. In order to diversify its exports beyond its neighbors Argentina and Brazil, La Paz needs to improve relations with Chile in order to expor...