Abstract

This paper compares the negotiating process of two trade agreements: Canada/
USA and Argentina/Brazil. The main topic discussed is the harmonization of economic policies.
In order to create a free trade area or a common market, governments have to face a
difficult choice, between the economic benefits of a integration and the political costs of a
restricted sovereignty. Two different configurations of this dilemma are analyzed in the paper.

JEL Classification: F15; F63