Suggest Why the Membership of Trade Blocs Has Changed Overtime

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Suggest reasons why the membership of trade blocs has changed overtime? A trade bloc is when a group of countries agree to reduce trade tariffs and barriers between member states. In this essay I will discuss why the membership of trade blocs had changed overtime, I will look into how the European Union and NAFTA has developed and what attracts countries to become part of these trade blocs. The EU originally formed over a variety of small treaty’s uniting the countries of Europe in hope to create a lasting peace between the countries after the Second World War. Whilst NAFTA formed on the basis of a fear that countries outside a trade bloc would be at a commercial disadvantage. The coal and steel community in 1950 began to unite 6 member countries of Europe together economically and politically. The Cold war which had divided Europe into East and west highlighted how further cooperation was necessary so in 1957 the treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community. By the 1960’s they stopped charging custom duties and held joint control over food production resulting in a surplus of agricultural produce and were able to feed everyone within the countries. Furthermore in 1986 the single European act was signed that set a 6 year programme to create a single market. In 1993 the treaty of Maastricht was signed which united Europe further by establishing an economic and financial unification, and introducing a common currency, the Euro. As a result to its success more nations joined so that there are now 28 members. There are many advantages of being a member of the European Union. It is the world’s largest player in terms of having the largest GDP and highest percentage of exports and imports. In addition it provides the member countries access to a single market including free movement of citizens. It gives a louder international voice as the country is
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