Abstract

PINTO, Messias de Sá  and  GUIMARAES, Maria Helena. Mercosur and FTAA: the conflicting interests of the European Union and the United States. Rev. bras. polít. int. [online]. 2005, vol.48, n.1, pp. 129-150. ISSN 0034-7329.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-73292005000100005.

The interests of the United States in Latin America and the creation of the FTAA are two determinant factors in explaining the European Union intention to establish an Association Agreement with Mercosur. While the European Union is interested in the Mercosur enlargement, the US prefer, through the creation of the FTAA, to induce its dissolution and obtain advantages from asymmetric integration. Our purpose is to demonstrate that, given the possible scenarios of evolution in regional agreements in Latin America, the most plausible (co-existence of Mercosur, EU/Mercosur Association Agreement and FTAA) is also the one that allows for a reconciliation of EU and US interests in the region.

Keywords : MERCOSUR; FTAA; European Union; Trade; Investment.