Nontariff measures and U.S.-Caribbean trade relations 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 opinions and conclusions of the IER are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or any individual Commissioner.

The current issue (September/October 2002) includes the following articles:

USITC Nontariff Measures Database: Overview and Preliminary Findings -- The ITC has completed preliminary work on a database covering nontariff measures for goods and services in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Free Trade of the Americas Agreement (FTAA) regions. This article explains the primary elements of the database and presents a preliminary summary of the data. Additional work on the database is in progress.

Challenges Facing the Caribbean Region in the Era of Globalization and the U.S.-Caribbean Trade Relationship -- The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) was dramatically revitalized by its expansion in October 2000 with the passage of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA). This article discusses a paper issued by the Center for Strategic and International Studies that presents three assessments of the Caribbean's economic development needs and the role the United States might play in assisting them.

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. In this issue, there are also reviews of recent developments in U.S. international transactions, and productivity, as well as summaries regarding global economic forecasts and world investment.

The current issue of the IER (USITC Publication 3558, September/October 2002 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 publication, 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.