[ THE FACTS ] The North American Free Trade Agreement has lasted over a decade now, and its three members – Canada, Mexico, and the United States – began discussing the treaty in Quebec on Monday. Trade between them has jumped 10 percent every year since the treaty’s ratification. The countries have addressed criticisms of NAFTA, including unenforced labor laws and environmental destruction.
Brian J. McFillen is a graduate student studying political science.
The North American Free Trade Agreement isn’t perfect. For example, it would be nice to get the Mexican government to enforce its own laws. But make no mistake – NAFTA’s benefits have far outweighed its costs.\nWe’ve all heard about U.S. jobs moving to Mexico. But for those jobs lost, many more were created. Between December 1993 (before NAFTA’s launch) and February 2006, U.S. employment increased 20.1 percent – that is, by 22.6 million jobs. From 1982 to 1993, the average unemployment rate was 7.1 percent; from 1994 to 2005, after NAFTA went into effect, it was 5.1 percent. Likewise,most economic indicators increased considerably, and at higher rates. Canada and Mexico saw comparable growth. \nAnd NAFTA provides us with diplomatic leverage to press the Mexican government for reforms. Protectionist barriers will only decrease Mexico’s living standards, as well as our own.
Grace Low \nis a senior majoring in journalism and\nanthropology.
The North American Free Trade Agreement’s supporters and other proponents of globalization are still clinging to the belief that a “free and open” marketplace with its unfettered competition and boundless growth is the best thing for societies, despite the lamentable erosion of small, local businesses who cannot compete in a globalized marketplace. Also, NAFTA’s opponents argue that free markets are structured in such a way as to reward corporations that engage in substandard treatment of their laborers and detrimental environmental practices. \nCitizens bound by NAFTA must ask themselves if the mistreatment of their fellow humans, the detriment of the environment and the breakdown of local business is worth saving a buck. Then they must put the pressure on our governments to adhere to sanctions that protect not only the economic interests of the lawmakers, but also the lives and dignity of all workers and members of our globalized marketplace.
