Costa Rica has sought to widen its economic and trade ties, both within and outside the region. Costa Rica signed a bilateral trade agreement with Mexico in 1994, which was later amended to cover a wider range of products. Costa Rica joined other Central American countries, plus the Dominican Republic, in establishing a Trade and Investment Council with the United States in March 1998.
Costa Rica has bilateral free trade agreements with the following countries and blocs which took effect on (see date):
- Canada (November 1, 2002)
- Chile (February 15, 2002)
- Caribbean Community (CARICOM)ยจ (November 15, 2002)
- Dominican Republic (March 7, 2002)
- El Salvador Customs union, (1963, re-launched on October 29, 1993)
- Guatemala Customs union, (1963, re-launched on October 29, 1993)
- Honduras Customs union, (1963, re-launched on October 29, 1993)
- Mexico (January 1, 1995)
- Nicaragua Customs union, (1963, re-launched on October 29, 1993)
- Panama (July 31, 1973, renegotiated and expanded for (January 1, 2009)
- United States (January 1, 2009)
- China under negotiation
- Singapore under negotiation
- European Union under negotiation
Costa Rica also is a member of the Cairns Group which is pursuing global agricultural trade liberalization in the World Trade Organization and helping to maintain the proper economy level in Costa Rica.