1. North American Free Trade Agreement
N.A.F.T.A
North American Free Trade Agreement

2. The Agreement:
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established a free-trade zone in North America; it was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and took effect on Jan. 1, 1994.
NAFTA immediately lifted tariffs (import/export taxes) on the majority of goods produced by the signatory nations. It also calls for the gradual elimination, over a period of 15 years, of most remaining barriers to cross-border investment and to the movement of goods and services among the three countries.

3. NAFTA through the years…

4. After 20 years, we know NAFTA has achieved its core goals of expanding trade and investment between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

5. Positive: Increase in trade
Trade between the NAFTA countries has quadrupled.
Some of the most common goods trades are:
Meat products
Fruits and vegetables
Beverages
Processed foods
Wine and liquor
Live animals
Clothing and textiles
Fuels
Electrical goods
Machinery
Natural resources like woods and metals

6. Cheaper goods
Without additional trade taxes (tariffs), goods are cheaper to buy which saves families money.
The average family of 4 saves between $1300-$2000 each year due to cheaper goods

7. Negative: Farmers loose out
NAFTA has had negative impacts on farmers in Mexico who saw food prices fall based on cheap imports from U.S. This is due to better resources and more technology for US farmers.
1.3 million corn farmers in Mexico lost their jobs

8. U.S. workers in manufacturing and assembly industries who lost jobs

11. MAQUILADORAS
NAFTA caused an increase of the maquiladora program, in which U.S. owned companies employ Mexican workers near the border to cheaply assemble products for "export" to the U.S.
This now comprises 30% of Mexico's labor force.
These workers have "no labor rights (paid less, no unions)
No health protections (factories have poor safety standards and are less safe) workdays stretch out 12 hours or more, and if you are a woman, you could be forced to take a pregnancy test when applying for a job," according to Continental Social Alliance.
Environmental concerns- Mexico’s government allows factories to pollute more

12. Maquiladoras Zone

13. CARTOONS

17. Who supports NAFTA? Government – they voted for it
Industry OWNERS – factory owners that moved their factories in Mexico
American Farmers that are benefiting from NAFTA exports
Shipping industry

18. Who opposes NAFTA? Industrial States – loss of jobs Humanitarians
“Patriots” – don’t like buying foreign goods
MOST AMERICANS!

19. Resources http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/Policy/nafta/nafta.asp