Brief:
This is a 2015 edited contribution by Universidad CESA and Universidad del Desarrollo. The book delves into more detail on the achievements that the PA has made up to this point and also touches on particular aspects of the PA, including contributions on particular countries such as Chile and Peru. The chapter by Edgar Vieira is worth exploring since it provides interesting insights from a theoretical and practical point of view. Some general recommendations on steps forward come from the contributions while a strong economic focus on their analysis persists in most of the chapters. The publication encompasses ten chapters and the introduction by the editors.

Resumen:
No disponible

Editors: Isabel Rodríguez Aranda and Edgar Vieira Posada
Spanish Title: Perspectivas y Oportunidades de la Alianza del Pacífico
Full document: Not available (Editorial CESA, 2015)

Abstract:
Not available

Resumen:
En una coyuntura tan turbulenta como la actual, profundizar la integración regional no es una opción sino un imperativo. Junto con África, América Latina y el Caribe presenta los menores índices de comercio intrarregional del mundo. Apenas el 16% del valor de sus exportaciones se dirige a la propia región, muy por debajo del 50% que registran Asia oriental y América del Norte, y del 64% de la Unión Europea. Asimismo, los encadenamientos productivos entre países de la región son, en general, escasos y débiles.

Un gran obstáculo al comercio y la integración productiva intrarregionales es la fragmentación del espacio económico regional. Hoy coexisten varios mecanismos de integración económica, cada uno de los cuales ha generado sus propias reglas en temas que van desde las normas sanitarias y de protección al consumidor hasta las compras públicas y el tratamiento de la inversión extranjera. Estas discrepancias regulatorias imponen altos costos a las empresas (especialmente a las pequeñas y medianas empresas (pymes)) que desean exportar al mercado regional o invertir en él, y dificultan el desarrollo de cadenas regionales de valor. De este modo, el gran potencial que ofrece el mercado regional, con sus más de 640 millones de habitantes, sigue sin aprovecharse plenamente.
[…]

En este contexto, resulta crucial tender puentes entre los principales mecanismos de integración económica de la región. Por ello, la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL) ha apoyado con entusiasmo la propuesta de “convergencia en la diversidad” entre la Alianza del Pacífico y el MERCOSUR, formulada por el Gobierno de Chile en 2014.

Institutional Author: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Spanish Title: La convergencia entre la Alianza del Pacífico y el MERCOSUR: enfrentando juntos un escenario mundial desafiante
Full document: 2018, ECLAC, La convergencia entre la Alianza del Pacífico y el MERCOSUR

Abstract:

This book delves into the Pacific Alliance from different perspectives, including the realms of foreign diplomacy, economy, politics and technological aspects, whilst analysing the opportunities that may occur during this process of regional integration. […]

In short, this book aims to present a deep and meticulous analysis of what the Pacific Alliance is so far. Beyond delving into an informed explanation of the process of regional integration, the book tries not only to offer a landscape of untapped opportunities that may potentially contribute to the success of the Pacific Alliance but also to make serious recommendations in areas that may present substantial challenges for the Pacific Alliance.

Edited book with 15 contributions from several authors

Resumen:
No disponible

Editors: Mario Torres Jarrín and Jonathan Violante Pica
Full document: 2016, Torres & Violante, Emerging Markets-The Pacific Alliance

Abstract:
This paper analyzes the main features of Chilean trade and investment treaties, examining if there is a Chilean pattern in the regulation of trade and investment flows or if it is influenced by agreements signed by Chile with developed countries. The article also examines if there are differences between the treaties signed by Chile and other “Southern” developing countries and those negotiated with “Northern” developed economies, and if sustainable development concerns are part of the negotiations of trade and investment agreements by Chile.

Resumen:
No disponible

Author: Rodrigo Polanco
Full document: 2015, Polanco, Chilean Trade and Investment Agreements with Southern Countries- From Bilateral Treaties to the Pacific Alliance

Abstract:
Trade and investment have been the main drivers of economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and in the member countries of the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) in particular, which are the focus of this study. The results of the trade policy reforms made by these four countries are impressive. Exports have increased considerably and a path toward diversification has been forged. Liberalization and foreign investment facilitation efforts also posted outstanding results. To better understand the member countries of the Pacific Alliance, it is necessary to examine their trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) openness, which contributed to average year-on-year growth of 6.3% in gross domestic product (GDP) over the last two-plus decades (1990-2013) compared to the rest of LAC, which posted an average of 5.3%. These aspects are analyzed in Section I.

Differentiating between the FTAs with regard to scope and depth depends, among other factors, on the inclusion of trade related disciplines. A comparative overview of the agreements is undertaken in Section II.

Trade liberalization is expanding between Korea and the Pacific Alliance countries. Progress has been facilitated by Chile´s FTA, which has been in place for the past decade, and by Peru’s FTA, which went into effect in 2011. Similar results can be expected when the Colombia-Korea FTA, signed in 2013, goes into effect. However, after a period of tariff liberalization, it is clear that future gains in bilateral relations are likely to be found in non-tariff-related areas. This is the domain that requires work. Aspects related to non-tariff barriers are covered in the comparative analysis of FTAs signed with Korea in Section II and discussed in the segment on Chile’s FTA with Korea.

Resumen:
No disponible

Editor: Rosario Santa Gadea
Full document: 2015, Santa Gadea, Analysis of Experiences in Trade and Investment between LAC and Korea- The Case of Member Countries of the Pacific Alliance

Abstract:
Not available

Resumen:
El presente trabajo se basa en el estudio y análisis de las relaciones exteriores –específicamente comerciales– entre Corea del Sur y los países de la Alianza del Pacífico. Es por ello que se plantean cuestiones sobre la relación de la República de Corea con los países de la Alianza del Pacífico, y se hace foco en su vínculo político y comercial con México. Este último ha tenido una relación cercana con Corea del Sur, principalmente a partir de los años noventa al ser signatario del TLCAN; y con más énfasis en la última década, al ser miembros ambos países de organizaciones y grupos internacionales y regionales tales como la Alianza del Pacífico. El ya mencionado país asiático tiene intereses comerciales muy notorios en México, generados por la ubicación geográfica de nuestro país y sus recursos naturales.

De igual forma México centra algunos intereses sobre esa nación del Este de Asia, pero prestando atención casi únicamente a lo referente a inversión extranjera directa, y sin llegar a la intención máxima de firmar un Tratado de Libre Comercio con Corea (este último país sí está dispuesto a hacerlo desde hace casi una década). En este artículo se aborda la función de los bloques regionales y el rol de Corea como potencia media en aras de reforzar las relaciones con cada uno de los miembros de Alianza del Pacífico, dando un enfoque característico a la relación bilateral Corea del Sur-México y posibles explicaciones del retraso en la firma de un TLC entre ambos.

Authors: Renato Balderrama Santander and Ana Karen Velázquez
Spanish Title: La política exterior y comercial de Corea del Sur en el marco de la Alianza del Pacífico: una visión desde México
Full document: 2016, Balderrama & Velásquez, La Política Exterior y Comercial de Corea del Sur en el Marco de la Alianza del Pacífico- una Visión Desde México

Abstract:
The Additional Protocol to the Framework Agreement of the Pacific Alliance (PA Additional Protocol) sets forth an additional layer for the protection of foreign investment to the preexisting International Investment Agreements (IIAs) between the PA Member States, posing a number of systemic questions regarding the application and interpretation of different treaty provisions and the way how they interplay. Against this background, the chief purpose of this article is to ascertain the extent to which the PA Member States have preserved a regulatory space for the protection of their essential interests in the PA Additional Protocol and the pre-existing IIAs between them.

Particular emphasis is given to variations in the scope of national security and public order exceptions vis-à-vis other investment treaty provisions, taking into account potential situations of overlapping and conflict of norms between the PA Additional Protocol and the pre-existing IIAs in place.

The article concludes that the narrower scope of the national security and public order exceptions in the PA Additional Protocol is outweighed by other provisions in the treaty that carefully balance the protection of investments vis-à-vis the right to regulate in the public interest. As highlighted by the UNCTAD, the PA Additional Protocol has all the elements suggested to preserve a regulatory space for public policies of host countries and to minimize the exposure to investment arbitration in this ground; this encompasses sensitives issues that would be otherwise governed by national security and public order exceptions in pre-existing IIAs between the PA Member States.

Author: Roberto Claros
Full document:2016, Claros, Investment Protection –Drawing Lessons from the PA Investment Treaties

Abstract:
The entry into force of the Additional Protocol of the Framework Agreement of the Pacific Alliance in May 2016 marked an important step towards the regional integration efforts of its four members: Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. In addition to promoting trade and investment linkages among its members, a core objective of the Pacific Alliance —and what distinguishes it from other regional integration efforts in Latin America— is to serve as a platform for economic and commercial integration between Latin America and the Asia-Pacific. It is, therefore, of particular interest to evaluate current economic developments taking part in modern Latin America and their impact upon these integration efforts.

The data of bilateral flows of trade in goods at the product and sector level, together with the study of trade in services as well as foreign direct investment, reflect the strong links within the Pacific Alliance. It also reveals the potential to further increase its members’ participation in regional and global value chains.

The Additional Protocol will serve not only to eliminate tariffs for nearly 95% of intraregional imports but also to foster economic integration through cumulation of origin and trade facilitation.
The Pacific Alliance faces several challenges in the medium-term. First, it must successfully incorporate Costa Rica as a full member, the first accession since the Pacific Alliance was established.
Further, it must define how to fulfil one of its driving forces: to serve as a bridge between Asian and Latin American countries on both sides of the Pacific.

Authors: José Durán Lima and Daniel Cracau
Institutional author: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
Full document: 2016, Duran & Cracau, The Pacific Alliance and its economic impact on regional trade and investment