Economic integration involves reducing trade barriers between countries through international agreements or regional partnerships. The main approaches are multilateral cooperation under the WTO or smaller regional blocs. Integration provides benefits like increased trade opportunities and employment but can also divert trade away from non-member states. Deeper integration involves moving from preferential trade areas and free trade zones to customs unions and common markets with coordinated economic policies and freedom of movement. The European Union represents the most integrated model as both an economic and political union.