Ambassador Veroneau discusses labor standards in pending hemispheric free-trade agreements and looks more broadly at trade promotion with Brazil and the rest of the Americas. How does Latin America’s developing trade relationship with Asia affect U.S. interests?

“When you look at the statistics, we have lost jobs to China and India—countries where we do not have a freetrade agreement. So, it is not the free-trade agreements that cause the problem.”

In an exclusive interview with Americas Society and the Council of the Americas, Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias highlights the importance of reducing poverty and strengthening education, as well as the development of a technology-based economy, free trade, and environmental protection.

Brazilians went to the polls to choose a new president on October 1, and since no candidate secured an outright majority of votes, a second round was held on October 29. As part of the AS/COA Brazil Presidential Candidate Interview Series, we spoke with PSDB candidate Geraldo Alckmin about economic growth proposals, foreign policy, trade, and investment.

In an exclusive interview with AS/COA, Pablo de la Flor analyzed the future of the U.S.-Peru FTA and its implications for both countries and the region. De la Flor urged passage of the FTA in the U.S. Congress and noted that 60% of the Peruvian population believes that the agreement, ratified in Peru, will be beneficial to the country's interests.

On October 15, Ecuadorians voted in the first round of a presidential election featuring over 15 candidates. To understand some of the complex issues facing the country, AS/COA spoke with one of the leading candidates in the polls, Cynthia Viteri of the Social Christian Party, on July 18.

Hernando José Gómez highlighted the benefits of increased market access and explained the domestic and international reaction to the agreement. He pointed out that opening an economy to international markets brings greater growth and a reduction in the income gap with richer countries.