International trade
International trade allows countries to grow beyond the capacity of their domestic markets and allow them to facilitate the flow of goods, services, and technologies that otherwise may not have been possible. The importance of international trade has grown significantly over the past decades as countries become more inter-connected. The International Trade and Integration Division of ECLAC conducts various quantitative and qualitative works aimed at strengthening the international trade agreements and policies in the region. Some of the works include studies and publications of reports regarding the region’s foreign trade and supply chain. In addition, the division also hosts various seminars and courses in promoting exports of goods and services.
Activities
An Introduction To CGE Modeling focus upon trade and tax policy
An Introduction to CGE Modeling is designed to introduce fundamental concepts and practices of tax and trade policy assessment. The primary tool used is Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling. The workshop will be a brief introduction to the practice of economic impact analysis, and a presentation of how CGE models are used to provide evidence-based analysis for Caribbean countries. The presentations will explain standard economic theory behind general equilibrium and will provide examples of CGE applications for tax policy and international trade analysis.
News
Given the United States’ New Tariff Policy, Latin American and Caribbean Countries Should Diversify their Trade Relations and Strengthen Regional Integration
According to ECLAC’s latest annual report on international trade, the region’s countries face, on average, lower tariffs in the United States than several of that country’s main trading partners, which opens up some opportunities for expanding their market share.
ECLAC’s New Annual Report Analyzes the Effects of U.S. Tariffs on Latin America and the Caribbean’s Foreign Trade
The publication “International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2025” will be presented at a press conference on Wednesday, November 19 in Santiago, Chile.
Estimation of New Tariffs Applied by the United States
ECLAC estimated the new U.S. tariff levels by calculating effective tariffs based on detailed customs data from January–February 2025 and simulating five distinct tariff sets reflecting policy changes through mid-July 2025. These scenarios incorporate general surcharges, sector-specific increases, and partner-specific measures, particularly targeting China, Canada, and Mexico. The data is aggregated to align with GTAP sector classifications, enabling socioeconomic impact modeling through a computable general equilibrium framework.
ECLAC Trained Provincial Officials from Argentina in Investment and Export Promotion in a Program Organized by CFI
As part of its cooperation with the Federal Investment Council (CFI), ECLAC delivered three modules in the Provincial Investment and Export Promotion Program, a course aimed at more than 80 officials from Argentine provinces. This initiative is part of the activities the United Nations regional commission is promoting to strengthen the institutional capacities of countries and their territories in matters of productive development and economic governance.
Video
Contact
División Comercio internacional e integración
- comercio@cepal.org