Objectives Construct a Free Trade Area of the Americas by means of eliminating trade barriers to goods, including the total elimination of obstacles to market access. Establish a schedule for tariff reduction, and the elimination of non-tariff barriers to market access. Different time frames of commercial liberalization can be defined taking into account special treatment for specific countries, sectors, and products.
All tariffs are subject to negotiation.
Construct a hemispheric data bank to actively identify non-tariff barriers, proceed in eliminating them, and make agreements not to create new ones and to not increase the degree of protection represented by existing measures. It is believed by some that these actions should be initiated immediately, and others opt for later times. Emphasize the importance of a permanent dialog between the commercial sector and the governments, so that the interests of the commercial sector will be effectively represented in the FTAA negotiation process. The theme of infrastructure is of utmost importance for hemispheric integration, and it is recommended that countries agree on projects supported by international financing organizations. Establish a Working Group on Market Access formed by business entities of the hemisphere.