NAFTA Not for America Essay - 1346 Words

America’s economy is flat lining. We are bleeding jobs and hemorrhaging revenue. One out of every seven citizens is on financial life support and our government needs to do something stat. One of the first steps in the road to recovery is repealing the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, because it is dangerous to our economic stability and future. NAFTA took effect on January 1, 1994 with the culmination of all quota and tariff repeals on January 1, 2008. This agreement was designed to expand trade between Canada, Mexico, and the United States by reducing restrictions imposed by tariffs and encouraging foreign direct investment in the developing economies. Some of the goals have been achieved since NAFTA’s†¦show more content†¦Now, many of these banking groups are owned by foreign investors, despite attempted safeguards. This ownership has provided investors leverage and influence over the actions of the government because the government ow es an exorbitant amount to these banks (Daniel Lederman). The same argument can be made about the United States’ government. This influence can be seen across the board as many decisions now seem to favor only a select few, forgetting about the ramifications for the many. Arguably the most notable change has been in terms of lost employment for Americans. Between 1994 and 2002, 897,000 American jobs were outsourced to Mexico (Hufbauer and Schott). This was 400,000 more jobs than the highest projected estimates. This outsourcing disproportionately affects our least educated members of the workforce who hold make up 43 percent of our jobs. 53 percent of the members of this demographic have been displaced. However, the effects are harder felt in some states such as North Carolina and Arkansas where 80 percent of blue collar workers have been affected in one manner or another (Hufbauer and Schott). As jobs are funneled out of America into less regulated Mexico, the jobs th at do remain pay less. Average weekly wages dropped from $800 to $683 which added up to $7.6 billion in outsourced wages in 2004. The jobs that are outsourced pay Mexicans a significant amount less than their American counterparts, approximately 87%Show MoreRelated A Discussion of the Negative Impact of NAFTA on North America2932 Words   |  12 Pagesof the Negative Impact of NAFTA on North America The North American Free Trade Agreement was passed in November of 1993 and went into effect on January 1, 1994. The agreement aimed to eliminate tariffs between Canada, Mexico and the United States, leading to the eventual creation of free trade among these three countries by the year 2008. Supporters of NAFTA billed the agreement as a wonderful opportunity to create jobs, stimulate competition, and free North America from harsh and often unfairRead More Environmental Implications of NAFTA on North America Essay1972 Words   |  8 PagesEnvironmental Implications of NAFTA on North America Introduction Prior to 1994, trade and the environment were two entirely separate issues. There were no environmental regulations found in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) or in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Upon the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) environmental concerns of North America as a whole were for the first time provided within a side agreement to the NAFTA. Finally there is a tradeRead MoreNafta And Theu.s. North American Free Trade Agreement1063 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction The formation of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) has brought many advantages among the nations of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Since its inception in 1994, it is difficult to see the great effect NAFTA has economically whether it is good or bad due to currency fluctuations, and economic growth (Villarreal Fergusson, 2014). This is why the paper will go into the advantages that NAFTA has brought to the countries mentioned above. The advantages that will be discussedRead MoreHistory Of The North American Free Trade Agreement Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesThe NAFTA Controversy The purpose of this document is to explore the history of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the effects NAFTA has had on Canada, the United States of America (specifically American labor and job market) and Mexico. It will also delve into the current state of NAFTA, the advantages and disadvantages to American economy and what the future holds for this historic trade agreement. NAFTA has effected many parts of the world and not just the three countries whoRead MoreThe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)1345 Words   |  6 PagesTrade Agreement (NAFTA), came into effect on January 1, 1994, creating the largest free trade region in the world, generating economic growth and helping to raise the standard of living for the people of all three countries participating. By strengthening the rules and procedures governing trade and investment, the NAFTA has shown to be a great base for adding to Canada’s prosperity and has set a valuable example of the benefi ts of trade liberalization for the rest of the world. NAFTA was designed withRead MoreChanging Political Events : Mexico, Canada And The United States966 Words   |  4 PagesEVOLVING REGINAL POLITICAL EVENTS : Before NAFTA, Canada and the United States were produced economies with solid customs of liberal political and financial arrangements, while Mexico had not one or the other. After World War II, Mexico occupied with protectionism and import-substitution, instead of fare headed development. Mexico s approaches were proposed to make freedom from American authority and energize local industrialization through state and corporatist strategies. These strategies reverseRead MoreEssay on Who Did NAFTA Benefit The Most?896 Words   |  4 Pagesreferred to as NAFTA, it came into effect on the first day of 1994. Covering 450 million of population and reaching $17 trillion in combined GDP, NAFTA proudly ranks the first among the world’s free trade agreements (USTR). It is usually seen as a remarkable success for the countless benefits it brings to its members. Some of NAFTA’s main advantages are promoting closer relationships, eliminating trade barriers, and increasing market oppo rtunities. However, as the first proposer of NAFTA, the UnitedRead MoreThe North American Free Trade Agreement1036 Words   |  5 Pagesreferred to as NAFTA produced results on January 1, 1994. A trade agreement was made between each of the three of nations of North America. The United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney, the Mexican President, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, and previous U.S. President George H. Shrub initiated the agreement. Connections between the nations were at that point on great terms, particularly between The United States and Canada. Five years before NAFTA became effectiveRead MoreHas the North American Free Trade Agreement Supported Cohesion?815 Words   |  3 PagesThe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was created with the intentions of making North America as a whole a more competitive player in the global marketplace. The North American countries (Canada, America, and Mexico) all share the same hope that NAFTA will be a strong outlet in supporting economic activity and promoting social cohesion between one another. Has NAFTA done this thus far? Most Americans would probably say that it has not because in their eyes free trade is the reason for moreRead MoreWho Did NAFTA Benefit the Most?920 Words   |  4 Pagestrilateral trade ― the North American Free Trade Agreement (Scaliger). Commonly referred to as NAFTA, it came into effect on the first day of 1994. Covering 450 million people and reaching $17 trillion in combined GDP, NAFTA proudly ranks the first among the world’s free trade agreements (USTR). It is usually seen as a remarkable success for the countless benefits it brings to the member countries. The goal of NAFTA was to promote closer trade relationships, eliminate trade barriers, and increase market