Developing countries, including Chile, have expressed two fundamental concerns about the inclusion of environmental and labour provisions in trade agreements: 1) that their sovereignty could be compromised if such agreements approve higher standards; and 2) that such provisions can be used to justify disguised protectionism. Proponents of free trade in the United States and other developed countries have expressed similar sentiments regarding the inclusion of environmental and labour provisions in trade agreements. New opportunities for U.S. workers and manufacturers: all exports of consumer goods and industrial products can now arrive in Chile duty-free. Major U.S. export sectors, such as agricultural and construction machinery, cars and auto parts, computers and other computer products, medical equipment and paper products. „We are moving towards free trade across America by concluding our free trade agreement with Chile… [a country] that, in Latin America, has set the standard for the gradual opening up of its economy and the transformation of its political system. — Robert B. Zoellick, U.S. Trade Representative Bilateral negotiations have been a challenge for both countries and, although a comprehensive agreement has been reached, some issues have been controversial, as was expressed in the debate in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Given that several free trade agreements are now being considered, there has been concern about the potential that Chilean provisions could become a „model“ for free trade agreements. In particular, immigration, investment (capital controls) and labor rules have appeared on hot topics, and many members of Congress have actually sent the message that language in the U.S.-Chile free trade agreement would not be acceptable in future trade agreements. A summary of these problems appears at the back of the report. As EsTV came into force, this is the final version of the report. On August 1, 2002, the U.S. Senate gave President George W. Bush the power to negotiate a free trade agreement with Chile and other countries. [11] On December 11, 2002, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick announced that he had entered into a free trade agreement with Chile. [12] On January 30, 2003, President Bush announced to the U.S. Congress his intention to sign the treaty within 90 days. „A free trade pact with Chile would show other countries in the hemisphere the enormous benefits of getting their economies in order: free access to the world`s largest and richest market.
“ — Los Angeles Times, 12/6/2001 – The agreement provides for the entry of business visitors, traders and investors, investors, internal investors to the group and professionals in one of the two parties. This chapter defines the framework of the free trade agreement and sets out the definitions to be used throughout the agreement to ensure consistency. A summary of the political objectives of the agreement, including „CONTRIBUTE on hemispheric integration and achieving the objectives of the U.S. Free Trade Area,“ proponents of the inclusion of labour and environmental provisions in trade agreements argue that developing countries enjoy an „unfair“ competitive advantage because their lower standards result in lower costs, resulting in lower prices for products in competition with those of industrialized countries. (20) Over time, this argument suggests that different standards lead to the relocation of investment and jobs abroad in order to take advantage of lower production costs. On the other hand, many studies show that these costs are generally not high enough to determine where productivity remains the main factor. (21) There are also social concerns about the environment and the environment, which directly concern the human impact of a reduction in health and living conditions due to pollution, poverty and the precariousness of working conditions