Indeed, the commitment by the hemisphere's leaders to the principle of free trade has in itself been a catalyst accelerating reform and investment in the region. The opening of markets and enhanced competition envisioned by the FTAA also serve as an impulse to social mobility, a key factor in long-term political stability. Closed economies allow the well-connected to grab and keep the best opportunities, and thus tend to perpetuate the positions of the privileged. But economies based on competition reward efficiency, innovation and enterprise regardless of political or social connections. This brings me to a criticism often leveled at FTAA and trade liberalization in general, namely that freer trade may increase growth in the economy overall but only to benefit the rich.
Recent research shows exactly the opposite.
These are important findings that need to be better understood not only by policy-makers but also by the public whose support must be maintained or won for free trade policies. Thirdly, the FTAA will contribute strongly to the new cooperative framework between the United States and Latin America. Economic vitality is indispensable to protecting the environment for future generations and waging an effective fight against illegal migration, the drug trade and other forms of transnational crime. Without broadly-shared growth, citizens' trust in their governments and institutions deteriorate, state legitimacy erodes, the rule of law weakens and social ills propagate. The growth and opportunities provided by the FTAA will put a strong new weapon in the hands of those Latin American leaders who want to work cooperatively with us in addressing these problems.