bloc

(noun)

A group of countries acting together for political or economic goals, an alliance (e.g., the eastern bloc, the western bloc, a trading bloc).

Examples of bloc in the following topics:

  • The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

    • NAFTA is an agreement signed by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America.
    • The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America.
    • In terms of combined GDP of its members, the trade bloc is the largest in the world as of 2010.

  • Trading blocs and agreements

    • Regional trading blocs represent a group of nations that join together and formally agree to reduce trade barriers among themselves.
    • NAFTA is such a bloc.

  • Consumer marketing models

    • By way of example, compare the automobile industry in developed countries to the automobile industry in the Soviet Bloc countries prior to 1989.
    • Customers had a wide variety of automobile models to choose from while citizens in the Eastern Bloc had few.

  • Technological Barriers

    • The European Union is its own bloc within the W.T.O.

  • The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

    • Established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional economic blocs (such as the European Union) in other parts of the world, APEC works to raise living standards and education levels through sustainable economic growth and to foster a sense of community and an appreciation of shared interests among Asia-Pacific countries.