COMCEC Trade Outlook 2019
7
restrictive measures (tariff increases, stricter customs procedures, imposition of taxes and
export duties) in mid-October 2017 to mid-May 2018 period compared to the previous review
period.
Second major pattern is the continuation of the proliferation of Regional Trade Agreements
(RTAs). While the World Trade Organization (WTO) expanded, reaching 164 Members by July
2016, all members participate to the existing RTAs or initiate new ones. The European
Union, The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), The North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), The Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area (AFTA), and the Common Market of Eastern
and Southern Africa (COMESA) are among the best known RTAs. WTO notes that most of both
the existing RTAs in force and the new negotiations are bilateral. However there is a new trend
for plurilateral RTAs involving several WTO members. Among these are the Asia-Pacific Region
for a Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Agreement, the Pacific
Alliance in Latin America and the Tripartite Agreement between parties to COMESA, EAC and
SADC in Africa6 . As of October 2019, 302 RTAs were in force (excluding accession). Figure 5
shows the increasing number of RTAs since 1980.
Figure 5: Evolution of RTAs (in force excluding accession) in World
Source: WTO database
6
302
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
19811983198519871989199119931995199719992001200320052007200920112013201520172019
Number per year Cumulative number