Thirty-four countries in the Western Hemisphere are working toward the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Nine trade negotiation committees have been created in order to develop institutional issues, ensure participation from all countries and facilitate the necessary negotiations needed for the formation of the free trade agreement. For years the countries have reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, opened doors to foreign investment, and privatized many sectors. Their goals have been to stimulate competition, promote efficiency and benefit consumers. Several major meetings have been held in order to discuss the necessary mechanisms needed for an agreement. The approximate date for the FTAA's establishment is 2005.
西半球的34国共同建立了美洲自由贸易区。它建立了9个商讨委员会来开展制度事务，确保各个国家的参与并推动自由贸易协议建立的必要谈判。这些年来，各国已经减少了贸易的关税和非关税壁垒，为外国投资开放门户，并使许多部门私有化。他们的目标是激励竞争，提升效率和使消费者受益。为讨论协议的必要机制已经召开了几次主要会议。美洲自由贸易区将在2005年成立。