Introduction
Today’s economy is more globalized than ever. With international trade being more
frequent and easier today than in decades past, the number of trade agreements that
countries enter into is ever increasing. The United States is no exception.
In this activity, you will analyze one trade agreement that is currently being negotiated
between the United States and another country or countries. You may need to do some
research online. Be sure to document any sites you use in the Resources section at the
end of this activity.
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Directions and Analysis
Task 1: Researching Today’s Trade Agreements
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is a division of the US Department of
Commerce that focuses on the nation’s trade issues and helps companies do business
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in and with other countries. The ITA website contains a wide variety of information on
issues related to international trade. Read about the trade agreements the United
States is currently negotiating, including the countries/regions involved, and answer the
questions that follow.
a. Choose a trade agreement that the US is currently negotiating that you would like to
learn more about. Which trade agreement did you choose?
Type your response here:
b. If you haven’t already, click the link for the webpage of the potential agreement you
selected, and navigate through it to answer the remaining questions. You may have
to go to other websites to find some information. If so, be sure to cite your source in
your response. List five main points of this potential agreement.
Type your response here:
c. What are the major regions and industries that the agreement would positively
affect?
Type your response here:
d. What are some of the current tariffs or barriers to trade?
Type your response here:
e. How will consumers benefit from this trade agreement?
Type your response here:
f. Find at least two Congress members or industry leaders who are in support of this
agreement, and explain why they support it.
Type your response here:
g. Find at least one Congress member or industry who is against this agreement, and
explain why this person is against it.
Type your response here:
