摘要：During the 1980’s and 1990’s, several Latin American countries increasingly adopted market-oriented policies to foster the development of open and competitive economies, as the region’s policy-makers reevaluated the import substitution strategies. Nations moved towards economic integration and greater participation in world trade, following a global tendency for trade liberalization. Various regional blocs involving Latin American countries were formed, with the goal of economic integration. Among these regional groupings is the Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR). Originally, it was formed by Argentina and Brazil in the mid 1980’s. On March 26, 1991, the agreement was formalized by the Tratado de Asunción, including two other nations: Paraguay and Uruguay. The agreement aims at establishing a single market among the four nations, based on the free movement of goods and services; the establishment of common external tariffs and trade policies; the coordination of macroeconomic and sectoral policies; and the harmonization of legislations to strengthen the process of integration. It is effective since the beginning of 1995, although with a list of exceptions, and shall be completely operative by the end of the year 2000.
