ABSTRACT
Regional trade agreements (RTAs) have survived many long-standing misconceptions and myths surrounding them. The purpose of this chapter is to examine and mostly debunk seven common myths about RTAs, grounding the points in empirical research. This is not to say that the RTA architecture could not be better – it could certainly be streamlined and simplified to accommodate companies big and small in trade, such as via large mega-regional plurilaterals. In addition, the negotiation of RTAs, just like any other trade agreements, needs to be rethought and streamlined in an era in which technologies change fast, and reshape the patterns, players and possibilities in trade.
