“Pros and cons of NAFTA”

What’s your opinion? Have you, or anyone you know, been affected by this pact? On balance, do you think it’s a good thing, or a bad thing? Explain.

One initiative that reduced trade restrictions was the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), signed by heads of state in 1992. The goal of NAFTA was to lower trade barriers among the three major North American countries; the US, Canada and Mexico. It was, and continues to be, enormously controversial in all three countries. In fact, on- time presidential candidate Ross Perot predicted that the loss of jobs to Mexico would produce “A giant sucking sound.”

Googling “Pros and cons of NAFTA” reveals a large number of sites, some reasoned and professional, some shrill and amateurish. One good list of pros and cons, reasonably well balanced despite the progressive agenda of its hosts, can be found at OccupyTheory (2014). There are many others.