The European Union-Mexico free trade agreement, European Union trade with Mexico, dollarization, Vietnam's trade and investment regime, and the impact of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act are the topics covered in the current issue of the International Economic Review (IER), a publication of the U.S. International Trade Commission's Office of Economics.

The IER is produced as part of the ITC's international trade monitoring program. The program's purpose is to keep the Commission informed about significant developments in international economics and trade and to maintain the Commission's readiness to provide technical information and advice to policymakers in the Congress and the executive branch.

The IER is a publication of the ITC's Office of Economics. The opinions and conclusions it contains are those of the authors and are not the views of the Commission or any individual Commissioner.

The current issue (April/May 2000) includes the following articles:

• European Union and Mexico Conclude Free Trade Agreement --- Through a new trade agreement with Mexico, the European Union aspires to raise the competitiveness of its products in the Mexican market and to maintain parity with the United States in the North American free trade area.

• The United States Dwarfs the European Union in Mexican Trade and Investment --- Recent trends in bilateral trade and investment between the European Union and Mexico are explored in light of the new European Union-Mexico free trade agreement.

• Dollarization: A Primer --- This article examines dollarization the adoption of the U.S. dollar as the official currency by another country and its potential impact on international trade and economics.

• Vietnam: Its Changing Trade and Investment Regime --- Vietnam's trade and investment regime, including trade relations with the United States, are examined.

• Impact of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act Declines --- The staged reduction of U.S. duties under the implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreement is one cause of declining U.S. imports under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.

In addition, the publication reviews U.S. economic performance relative to other major trade partners, U.S. trade performance, and economic forecasts. Comparative economic indicators for major industrialized countries are also provided.

The current issue of the IER (USITC Publication 3298, April/May 2000) will be available on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov. To request a printed copy, write to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436, or fax requests to 202-205-2104.

To be added to the mailing list for the IER, write to the Office of Economics, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436, or fax requests to 202-205-2340.