Why America Needs to Focus on Policy Reform

As the North American Free Trade Agreement creeps closer to its 16th year in existence, a growing number of Americans are wondering where the results are. We’ve seen lots of results from NAFTA, but no one can unilaterally point to something that was beneficial to all three nations.

Mexico has gained some jobs in manufacturing, but lost huge parts of its agricultural industry to agribusinesses in the United States and Canada. The U.S. has gained better access to markets for its products, but it has also sent much of its production across the northern and southern borders. Canada is now more integrated in the American economy, but it faces the same difficulties from low wage Mexican labor as the United States.

The Center for International Policy, in an article published on December 3, detailed the need for wide-ranging reform of NAFTA. The president has largely backed off his campaign rhetoric regarding “renegotiating” the terms of NAFTA. In fact, it will likely be a non-issue throughout the remainder of his presidency. Certain members of Congress recently introduced the TRADE Act of 2009, but it is not law and it may never become so.

The TRADE Act of 2009 is perhaps this nation’s best bet to enact real reform, because it highlights the areas in most dire need of attention.

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