Hard currency.(Trade Talk)(El Salvador's economy minister, Miguel Lacayo, discusses his...

How does a small country level the playing field when dealing with the region's giants? Just ask Miguel Lacayo, El Salvador's Harvard- and Stanford-trained economy minister. He jets to bargaining tables, looking for ways to turn his country's strengths into selling points. Joining forces with Central American neighbors helps, but sometimes you just have to be frank. Lacayo talks with Latin Trade Managing Editor Greg Brown about calling their bluff.

Your imports are double your exports. Will U.S.-Central American free trade change that?

The U.S. also has a ne