The past twenty years of trade policy: What have we learned so far and what are the lessons for Latin America?

Each of these conferences has given me an opportunity to look back, reflect, and consider the extent to which we have been able to make progress, directly in removing barriers to international exchange and, indirectly, promoting economic welfare and prosperity. At this conference, I would like to look back at the past twenty years of trade-policy making, consider what we have learned, and see what those lessons mean for Latin America in devising a trade policy strategy for the immediate future.