United Nations
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
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.
Estimation of New Tariffs Applied by the United States
The methodology used to estimate the new U.S. tariff levels involves calculating effective tariffs based on detailed customs data from January–February 2025, simulating four distinct tariff scenarios reflecting policy changes through May 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.
Latin America Should Take the Long View on Tariffs
Op-ed by José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, published in Project Syndicate on 23 April, 2025 (all rights reserved).
ECLAC Downwardly Revises Growth Projections for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2025
Today the United Nations regional organization updated its GDP estimates for each of the region’s countries.
