Reviews major changes in the structure (nature) of international trade with the objective of stressing the non-market determinants of production fragmentation and trade integration. Looks at the definitions and measurements proposed by the literature on international production sharing and vertical specialisation. Focuses on the characteristics of trade specialisation, and the impact of barriers and incentives created by industrial countries to foster intra-industrial trade specialisation and international assembly operations. Proposes a few questions concerning trade and growth in the context of the current structure of Latin American trade.

12/29/03 JOYD