Trade Agreements and Financial Services examines the cross-border agreements that have historically been focused on the trade of merchandise goods. Increasingly, emphasis is being placed on the provision of cross-border services. Notable among these are financial services. There is a clear link between economic development and the availability of financial products. Moreover, the financial services sector is, itself, a major industry that is fueling growth. The conditions under which financial services are offered in an international context are the subject of debate in the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

This new book presents an overview of trade in financial services by the United States. It delineates the framework of US foreign trade in financial services. The bulk of the book, however, is devoted to a selective examination of current, pending, and proposed bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements that affect this framework. Two appendices examine data, data collection and coverage of US trade in financial services and the role of intergovernmental organisations.