counteracting asymmetries in free trade agreements between countries with different development levels

On the occasion of negotiations between Latin-American and Caribbean countries with the European Union

Abstract

Within the framework of negotiations to conclude free trade agreements with more developed
countries, both technical teams and negotiators from Latin American and Caribbean countries try to
counteract asymmetries on the basis of criteria that are not usually appropriate due its lack of
flexibility.
This document raises the desirability of adopting proposals to reconcile the terms of reciprocity with
the need to effectively reduce asymmetries and take advantage of the obtained concessions. In this
sense, the author suggests to take into account the special and differential treatment for the less
developed economies including comprehensive clauses about the various negotiated issues.