Thirty-four countries in the Western Hemisphere are working toward the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Nine trade negotiation¹ committees have been created in order to develop institutional issues, ensure participation² from all countries and facilitate the necessary negotiations³ needed for the formation of the free trade agreement. For years the countries have reduced tariff⁴ and non-tariff barriers to trade, opened doors to foreign investment, and privatized many sectors⁵. Their goals have been to stimulate⁶ competition, promote efficiency and benefit consumers. Several major meetings have been held in order to discuss the necessary mechanisms⁷ 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。