Latin American Trade Alliances

As the UK enters a new era as an independent trading nation, it has the potential to negotiate new trading relationships around the world. Latin America is a region with several large trading blocs, including Mercosur, the Pacific Alliance, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which together represent around 15% of global GDP. Despite their global economic importance, trading relationships in the region have historically been complicated, often falling victim to political agendas.

Join Canning House as we discuss the various trade alliances in Latin America and the rapidly shifting dynamics within them. We will be joined by a panel of trade experts who will examine in detail the recent progress of trade alliances, the prospects for trade in the region and the possibilities that may arise for UK businesses seeking to enter Latin American markets.

We ask...

• What are Latin America's trade alliances aimed at?
  • Internal market growth? Overseas trade? Politically driven?
• What are their achievements so far?
• What is their potential?
  • Are they too fragmented? Should they be rationalised?
• What do they offer the outside world?
  • Trade deals? Observer status? Membership?
• What do they say about LatAm’s commitment to free trade?
  • Compared to other regions where free trade is being challenged

Our panel

Andrés Velasco

Dean of the School of Public Policy, LSE; and Former Minister of Finance in Chile

Vera Thorstensen

Professor of Economics, Fundação Getulio Vargas

Pablo Sanguinetti

Chief Economist and Vice President of Knowledge, CAF

Vanessa Rubio

Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates; and Former Deputy Minister (Foreign Affairs, Social Development, and Finance) in Mexico

In September 2020, Canning House published a Canning Paper on Latin America's regional and global trade alliances, examining opportunities for greater UK engagement and investment in the region.

Canning House Members can download the paper on our website:

Find it here