Nova Southeastern University

Exporting is crucial to America’s economic health. Increase exports means business growth and business growth means bigger profits for U.S. companies resulting in more jobs for American workers. One way to expand export opportunities is to develop new trade zones in different countries which were recently passed by Congress to provide trade preference to nations of the Caribbean Basin as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper will investigate the relationship between the present Caribbean bill and the Caribbean Basin Initiative trade economic stimulus package promoted by former President Ronald Reagan in the mid 1980’s. The report will present a summary of the analysis of the impact of duty-free treatment of certain U.S. imports from Caribbean Basin beneficiaries under CBERA on U.S. trade and employment during the calendar 1998. Furthermore, the report will discuss the future impact of the recently passed Caribbean Basin Partnership Act and how it will impact the 24 Caribbean nations in promoting stable and sustainable economic growth