The European Union (EU) is the focus of the current issue of the International Economic Review (IER), a publication of the U.S. International Trade Commission's Office of Economics.

The IER is produced as part of the ITC's international trade monitoring program. The program's purpose is to keep the Commission informed about significant developments in international economics and trade and to maintain the Commission's readiness to provide technical information and advice to policy makers in the Congress and the executive branch. The opinions and conclusions of the IER are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or any individual Commissioner.

The current issue (January/February 1999) includes the following articles:

European Union Gains Single Currency, Plans Expansion, and Pursues Free Trade with Mexico, Mercosur, and South Africa -- The euro, the new currency that 11 of the 15 EU members will use, will more closely integrate the EU economies. Meanwhile, 10 Central and East European countries are preparing to accede to the EU after 2000. The status of EU negotiations for free trade agreements with Mexico, Mercosur, and South Africa also is reported.

Update on U.S.-EU Trade Issues -- Cooperation and confrontation mark the bilateral agenda. This article discusses the Transatlantic Economic Partnership, mutual recognition agreements, trade in bananas, and the new EU data privacy directive.

The U.S.-EU Third Generation Mobile Phone Technology Debate: Who's Calling the Shots on Standards? -- A recent breakthrough by business leaders has possibly solved the hotly debated issue of inter-compatibility of mobile telephone communications.

The current issue of the IER (USITC Publication 3173, January/February 1999) will be available on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov. To request a printed copy, write to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436, or fax requests to 202-205-2104.

To be added to the mailing list for the publication, write to the Office of Economics, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436, or fax requests to 202-205-2340.