Political/Economic Counselor Oliver
Griffith spoke at a conference at ALADI (The Latin American
Integration Association) based in Montevideo, Oct. 3, on
the United States' view of MERCOSUR' s external agenda.
Griffith shared a panel discussion
with the Ambassador of Canada and the Economic Counselor
of the European Union. Griffith outlined the 4-plus-1 "Rose
Garden" agreement between the US and the MERCOSUR countries,
and how it is being used to further Free Trade Area of the
Americas (FTAA negotiations. He also analyzed the internal
dynamics of MERCOSUR and explained US trade policy after
the Cancun WTO meeting.
Other speakers, who included prominent
economists from Uruguay and Brazil, as well as private sector,
government and ALADI representatives, focused on the future
of the FTAA and whether it will have positive effects on
Latin American countries.
