The history of the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR)

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• The economic history in general of South America as a whole
• The history of the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA)

Farmers oppose free trade

From NAFTA & Inter-American Trade Monitor, 5 April 1996. Except for farmers producing for export, strong peasant opposition to Mercosur.

Developing Latin American Integration

NAFTA & Inter-American Trade Monitor, 5 April 1996. Chile's joining Mercusor and bypassing NAFTA to enter into a trade relation with Canada.

Chile and Mercosur sign pact

NAFTA & Inter-American Trade Monitor, 12 July, 1996. Chile becomes an associate member of Mercosur, the Southern Cone Common Market. This gives the trading bloc access to the Asian Pacific region, a growing market for Latin America.

MERCOSUR and movement on FTAA

NAFTA & Inter-American Trade Monitor, 15 November 1996. Mercosur (led by Brazil) preempts Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations despite World Bank (led by US).

Mercosur fights back

NAFTA & Inter-Am Trade Monitor, 13 December 1996. Mercosur responds to leaked World Bank critical report.