North American Free Trade Agreement

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the history and effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It describes the aims of NAFTA, as well as how it was to implement its agreements. It then looks at some of the many positive outcomes from the NAFTA agreement, particularly the economic growth of the three nations involved, and briefly describes the reasons for some of the strong opposition to NAFTA.

From the Paper:

"It is hard to overlook the fact that since NAFTA was signed, there has been economic growth in all three nations, and a huge increase in the standard of living in Canada and Mexico. NAFTA has helped to integrate these three economies. Canada and Mexico have benefited the most with a free trade with the largest economy in the world, while the U.S. has gained rewards from the unhindered access to the Canadian and Mexican markets and products. Imports have grown under NAFTA, but more importantly, U.S. exports have grown tremendously and without NAFTA the U.S. would not have had these expanded export opportunities. NAFTA serves as a model and foundation for U.S. efforts to achieve trade liberalization. This will help the move toward a free flow of agricultural products between more countries. Negotiations are underway with the U.S. and Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua will strip away remaining trade barriers, eliminate tariffs, open markets and promote investment and economic growth for all countries involved."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "After 10 Years, NAFTA Continues To Pay Dividends" http://www.cato.org/dailys/01- 08-04.html
• "Benefits of NAFTA" http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/agexporter/2004/January/pg%204.pdf
• Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2003c. "Historical" B Tables. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Labor. http://stats.bls.gov/ces/home.htm.
• Bush, George H.W. 2002. Remarks at Woodrow Wilson Center Conference regarding NAFTA Past, Present and Future. Federal News Service. December 9.
• "Canada and the North American Free Trade Agreement" http://www.dfait- maeci.gc.ca/nafta-alena/menu-en.asp

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