1. Trading Blocs (Free-trade associations)
Regional trading blocs are intergovernmental associations that manage and promote trade activities for specific regions of the world.
Also called free-trade associations – eliminate trade barriers between nations in trading bloc
Examples of trading blocs:
NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement
EU – European Union
ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations
OPEC – Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

2. Regional Trade Associations (Blocs)

3. NAFTA Includes U.S., Canada, and Mexico Implemented in 1994
Called to gradually eliminate all tariffs and trade barriers between U.S., Canada, and Mexico over a 15 year period
Effects of NAFTA have been increased economic growth and productivity of all 3 nations
Has helped American exporters to Mexico, but has caused job losses in some American industries hurt by imports from Mexico
Color these countries Blue on your map.

4. EU Created in 1993 Includes 27 nations
Shared currency for 15 nations – Euro
Eliminates trade barriers between member nations
the EU generates an estimated 30% share of the world's nominal gross domestic product
Color these countries Green on your map.

5. Map of EU Member States Click on link to see map:

6. ASEAN
Includes 10 Asian nations – Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam
Established in 1992
Eliminated most tariffs in trading region.
Nominal GDP of ASEAN was $1, billion in 2006.
Color these nations Red on your map.

7. ASEAN

8. OPEC
is a cartel of 13 oil and petroleum exporting countries made up of Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.
Established in hosts regular meetings among the oil ministers of its Member Countries.
OPEC's influence on the market has been negatively criticized
OPEC nations account for two-thirds of the world's oil reserves, and, as of March 2008, 35.6% of the world's oil production, affording them considerable control over the global market.

9. OPEC Click on link to view OPEC nations.

10. World Trade Organization
the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations – established in 1995
Located in Geneva, Switzerland
153 member nations
goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct international business.

11. http://www. youtube. com/watch