This book investigates the economic implications and diplomatic challenges posed by the rise of regional trading arrangements within the global trade system. Richard Pomfret, an established economist, utilizes a combination of historical context and theoretical frameworks to evaluate how discriminatory trade policies impact the nondiscrimination principle of the postwar international order. The text synthesizes empirical studies to provide a comprehensive analysis of the shift toward regionalism observed during the 1990s.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the evolution of international commercial diplomacy in the late 20th century. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous resource for students and practitioners of international economics.