The publication reviews the present status and future prospects between the United States and the Latin American and Caribbean region. It examines the trade-policy making environment in the United States, and reviews pending and potential initiatives that might directly or indirectly affect the trade interest of the region. The study draws attention to four points: a relatively low priority of the current US administration to trade policy, consequences that may arise due to lack of importance, unaddressed agreements and programmes from the previous US administration, and the pressing need for the current administration to announce its objectives and timetable on the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).