Los procesos de integración económica: Área de libre comercio, unión aduanera, mercado común y unión económica

This article presents four processes of economic integration, highlighting their importance around the world for the economic and commercial development of States. Considering this, this work will begin by referring to the relevance of the Andean Community as a consolidated process in South America, emphasizing the general importance of economic integration. Subsequently, it will explore the Free Trade Zone, characterized by the elimination of tariffs between States; and the Customs Union, which goes further by establishing a common external tariff. Subsequently, it will examine the Common Market, which facilitates the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people and, finally, it will analyse the Economic Union —the most advanced form of
collaboration— which implies greater harmonization of economic policies to promote development and trade between States.