Can someone please explain NAFTA and why it's supposed to be so bad?

Question

I started to look at the Wikipedia site, but it's long and I don't really have the time or energy to wade through it. Can someone please explain NAFTA to me?

NAFTA for Dummies would be great.

Answer 1

NAFTA is a trade organization that was created during the Bill Clinton era of American politics.  It is a trade agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico to lower/eliminate trade barriers and allow for an easier movement of people across the boarders.  It was supposed to help lower the cost of goods for American consumers.  But, it has turned out to have some bad consequences.

It has made it much easier for people to gain access into the United States, both legally and illegally.  That in its self has caused all kinds of problems in social services, healthcare, etc. expences that taxpayers have to pay the bill for.  Essentially, it was supposed to increase the wage and standards of living for people in Mexico while driving cheaper prices in the US and it really hasnt worked to our favor at all.

Answer 2

NAFTA is a trade treaty involving Mexico USA and Canada (my home) Its big with the free flow of capital bunch (read conservative/republicans). It is essentially an agreement that allows for fewer restrictions on the flow of goods and capital between the signatories. The US wanted access to the resources of Canada and the cheap labour of Mexico while Canada and Mexico wanted more open access to the lucrative American market. It is not so much a free trade pact as it is a binding set of trade rules and a dispute settlement processes.The downside is that it opens local legislative safeguards up to court challenges by foreigners based on the trade agreement.

Answer 3

My answer would be longer than Wikipedia's!

It's BAD, VERY BAD!!!

"A Collosal Mistake!"

It required a 2/3 vote in the senate but only got 61 votes and Clinton pushed it through anyway!

And more importantly, the American People are against it by a very large number!

Answer 4

nrth amer. free trade agree something like that i belive it was to help free up trade but the bottum line it help imports to this counntry rather than trde to otheres because they still charge large tarrifs on us imports

Answer 5

Its a trade treaty allowing mexicans and canadians alot more freedom to come to the USA and trade and sell.

Some think it will let more illegals get in. Others think it will let more terrorists sneak in. Others think it will not let american businesses compete against cheaper mexican labor.

Answer 6

In reality it allows other countries an advantage over American companies it trade.  So it is a penalty to Americans while being an incentive to others to rip us off.  It is a bad agreement.