...US, Mexico, and Canada sign the North American Free Trade Agreement? Which sectors would you expect to gain most from this agreement? NAFTA allowed for the free flow of goods and services between the three parties, US, Mexico and Canada by immediate or phased elimination of tariffs on numerous goods. This free trade would in turn lead to comparative advantage i.e. each country could specialize in producing goods/ services in which they are relatively more productive than their trading partners, increasing overall productivity and output. Hence, the parties to NAFTA signed the agreement so that companies can leverage aggregating and arbitration opportunities within the region leading to overall more trade, more jobs and higher GDP. On the side, the countries also hoped for some other interrelated non-economic benefits such as reduction in illegal immigrants from Mexico to US due to availability of more earning opportunities within Mexico. The sectors which were expected to gain most from this agreement were- automobiles (in Canada), textile and apparel (in Mexico), agriculture (in all countries, particularly US), financial and banking services (in US) and energy (especially in US and Canada). 2.!Has NAFTA been beneficial for the countries that signed it? There were numerous positive economic developments after the signing of NAFTA such as: •! Increase in international trade: Mexico’s trade as a % of GDP almost doubled after the NAFTA agreement, new trade was generated...
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... Since the automotive industry constitutes more than 40% of North American trade, NAFTA saves the automotive industry immense amounts of money. The North America Free Trade Agreement is a trilateral agreement that encourages free trade between Mexico, Canada, and United States. The NAFTA agreement has affected the automotive industry by increasing the amount of U.S. automotive imports. It has also increased the amount of U.S. automotive exports to NAFTA partners and it has caused outsourcing in the automotive industry. The North American Free Trade Agreement came into effect on January 1, 1994. The president of Mexico, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, the prime minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, and the president of the U.S., George H. W. Bush, signed NAFTA in 1992, which then required the legislatures of the three countries to approve it before it went into effect. After the legislatures passed the NAFTA agreement, it became in effect on January 1, 1994. Under NAFTA, the partnering countries agreed to eliminate and reduce most barriers to trade freely between the countries. Most of the United States automotive trade is done with Mexico. This is because the United States and Canada were already highly integrated following the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement and a U.S.-Canada Auto Pact in 1965. Before the NAFTA agreement, Mexico had strict automotive decrees on foreign automotive production in Mexico. After NAFTA was signed, those strict rules went away. Mexican tariffs on...
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...Introduction The North American Free Trade Agreement, also referred to as NAFTA, was implemented on January 1, 1994. The free trade agreement, signed by Canada, Mexico and the United States, allows for trilateral trade (Export.gov). The agreement permits for the removal of trade barriers and tariffs, which paves the way for easier trading throughout the North American countries. The agreement calls “for the gradual elimination…of most remaining barriers to cross-border investment and to the movement of goods and services among [the United States, Canada and Mexico]” (CBP.gov). The implementation of NAFTA was preceded by CAFTA, which was a similar agreement solely between Canada and then United States (“Scott, Robert E.). Signed by President Bill Clinton, NAFTA had a goal to “[sweep] away export tariffs in several industries: agriculture [being] a main focus, [as well as] tariffs [being] reduced on items like textiles and automobiles” (Teslik, Lee Hudson). The primary goal of NAFTA is to ease restrictions on commerce between the three countries, in attempts to increase cross-border trade. The initial purposes are outlined specifically within the pages of agreement. Its original goals, along side with easing trade restrictions, include increasing investment opportunities for each country and their citizens. Each nation’s government desires to allow, for citizens of their own countries, the opportunity to invest and participate in the other North American economies. Another preliminary...
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...Regional Analysis of NAFTA January 1, 1994, the United States, Canada, and Mexico entered a trade agreement which removed restrictions on trade between the three countries to encourage free competition, improve investment opportunities, and increase market access. NAFTA has provided some advantages to its members such as the eradication of tariffs, product price reductions, and increased profit margins. By reducing the tariff rate on goods or products, this allows Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce their selling price, thus keeping them competitive with non-NAFTA goods and products sold at a higher price due to imposed tariffs. This also allows SMEs to compete with larger organizations within the regions. Regional integration is a formation of closer economic relations among countries that are geographically in the vicinity of one another, especially forming preferential trade agreements. However, as we can see, regional integration also refers to an outcome, which occurs when present criteria are met. Around the globe, we have seen an increase in the number and depth of regional integration over the last few decades. Over 40% of world trade occurs within regional integration agreements such as the European community, NAFTA, and new or expanded agreements continue to be negotiated (Wayne, 2004). A regional integration agreement represents free trade to the extent that it results in trade creation. This occurs by shifting the production of some good or product...
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... Executive summary Free trade refers to trade between countries without tariff and non-tariff barriers on exports and imports. In another word, free trade refers to trade without government interference. Classical economists such as Adam Smith and David Ricardo have advocated that free trade improves the economic well being of a country by increasing the production of a country and allowing efficient allocation of resources, thus increasing global production and promoting peaceful and prosperous global environment. In the global basis, World Trade Organization formed after GATT in 1995 promotes trade liberalization through multilateral negotiation. On the other hand, in the regional basis, countries are forming regional economic integration to promote free trade stage by stage. The initial stage is known as Free trade areas (FTAs) under which they agree to remove tariffs and non-tariff limitations on trade in products between themselves. Despite all these initiates, governments around the world are still imposing various restriction on trade between countries to protect its own industries such as agriculture which is considered as the backbone of a country. Therefore, this report will discuss the concept of free trade, trade theories and the advantages and disadvantages of Free Trade for consumer, business, environment and politics. Also analyze why a region need Free Trade Area, benefit for developing countries. Summarize advantages and disadvantages of Free Trade for consumer, business...
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...shifting of particular federal activities toward a new point. Regional integration is also considered to be an important process which compels a country’s enthusiasm to donate or combine into a larger unit to obtain certain goals. The goals achieved through regional integration can be political integration or free trade, as in North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA). There are different levels of integration and each level is dependent on a certain benchmark. The description for the different levels is the disadvantages and advantages of regional integration and the platform for how economic development connects with certain business opportunities. The Advantage of NAFTA The North American Free Trade Agreement also known as NAFTA is an effective trade agreement. NAFTA aids in the increase in agricultural trade and also to the venture between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which also is a benefit to farmers, ranchers and consumers. NAFTA enforce restraint on the adoption, enforcement, and the development of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS). NAFTA also removes barriers to trade. The restraints confined in NAFTA...
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...the nature of NAFTA and its effect on regional integration as well as state economies from several perspectives. In 1993, the United States, Canada and Mexico signed the North American Free Trade Agreement to achieve the higher level of regional integration. This NAFTA not only concerns the removal of trade barriers, but also aims to promote the movement of capital. Firstly, this essay will explain the evolution of NAFTA and its successful influence on economic integration. Furthermore, this chapter will provide the criticism on the influence of NAFTA. Secondly, this study will discuss the impact of NAFTA on regional integration, particularly economic integration. Then, this essay will propose the understandings on the effect of NAFTA on members’ economies and businesses from four perspectives, including trade, economic growth, employment and FDI. Main body The Evolution of NAFTA The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) issued in 1993 aims to removal trade barriers and liberalise economics and business among the United States, Canada and Mexico. Compared with similar FTA economic relationship, such as EU, NAFTA is described as the most implemented FTA (Orme, 1996). Like most FTAs, NAFTA not only effectively coordinates resource and improves competitiveness of countries and corporates, but also promotes the movement of products, services and investment, even financial integration. For instance, Krugman & Hanson (1993) stress that the implementation of NAFTA can facilitate...
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...North American Economic Integration: NAFTA and Beyond Dr. Igor M. Paramonov, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, AB, Canada ABSTRACT This paper examines various possibilities for future economic integration within and beyond the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Previous publications have suggested three potential trajectories including development within the envisioned original structure, deepening, and widening of NAFTA (Clement et al, 1999). It is necessary to revisit these directions while summarizing major developments and new perspectives. Vision and hard work are required for NAFTA to remain one of the most economically competitive regional trading arrangements in the world. In addition to NAFTA, each member nation has pursued its own plans to integrate with countries and regions beyond North America. The most recent developments involve trade negotiations between Canada and the European Union, as well as both Canada and Mexico’s considerations to join the nine countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Pact. The United States cooperates with a group of smaller developing economies within the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). This paper presents ongoing analysis of governmental, academic, and other sources for the purpose of teaching in the field of international business, including the uncommon course of “Business under NAFTA.” INTRODUCTION Is the “Age of NAFTA” over? This is a legitimate...
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...Assignment on NAFTA (Subject : International Marketing) 1 Assignment on NAFTA Sub: International Marketing Submitted by: Submitted to: Rajesh Madnani Roll No. 9 5th Semester MBA – Evening (XVIIIth Batch) Mr. Seshan Iyer FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES THE M.S.UNIVERSITY OF BARODA Submitted by Rajesh Madnani (Roll No.9) Submitted to Mr. Seshan Iyer Faculty of Management Studies (MSU) Assignment on NAFTA (Subject : International Marketing) 2 What is NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement made between the governments of Mexico, Canada and the United States for the purpose of eliminating trade barriers among them. Important Documents: - North American Free Trade Agreement (with preamble, 22 chapters, 7 annexes, and articles) -procedural forms NAFTA has two supplements: the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) and the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). Following diplomatic negotiations dating back to 1990 among the three nations, U.S. President George H. W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas, each responsible for spearheading and promoting the agreement, ceremonially signed the agreement in their respective capitals on December 17, 1992.[5] The signed agreement then needed to be ratified by each nation's legislative or parliamentary branch. The agreement was then given to each country’s legislative in order to make changes and approve (protect American workers/U...
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... Introduction The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement between the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. The agreement creates rules in the trade block and it was established in 1994. The goal of the agreement is remove or decrease the tariffs and non-tariffs barriers to stimulate trade. The NAFTA agreement included: * Removing all tariffs on 99 percent of the good by 2004. * Protection of intellectual property * Removal of most foreign direct investments with a few protections established for each country * Removal of barriers on the cross-border flow of service * Application of national environmental standard * Establishing two commissions with the power to impose fines and remove trade privileges if needed Regional integration is not only for economical reasons but it is also political. There is much opposition within each country and it takes many years to have an agreement that satisfies ever member country. Pros and Cons for NAFTA Advantages The main purpose for NAFTA is to create a larger and more efficient base for the entire North American region. The first advantage for the members of NAFTA was to reduce the tariffs that had been imposed in all their products. The cost of the products is also controlled in member nations of NAFTA since the import cost are not inflated by taxes. Lastly, the benefit is mutual for US and Canada to move production to Mexico. The cost of labor in Mexico is much lower than in...
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... In January 1994 there was a new development; the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was instituted between the United States, Mexico, and Canada creating the largest free trade area and richest market in the world. This one of the most important and wide-reaching treaties in the world. A treaty between Canada, Mexico, and the United States that was designed to foster greater trade between the three countries. It was one of interesting prospect and looked upon as the start of globalization. The attempt was to help with financial situations involving the all countries in the North American continent, especially those of United States, Mexico, and Canada. One major problem encountered were the economic stabilities of each country, especially in Mexico. There were issues of foreign debt, balance of payment problems, and exchange rate fluctuations. The agreement does well to commit to standards on environmental protection and labor laws but still strives to enforce those laws. The agreement did have some goals to help foster the partnerships between the countries. First and foremost to reduce trade barriers. These barriers cause imports to be of a higher priced than local goods. The object of the agreement was to participate in free" or "open" when goods and services can move into markets without restrictions, and prices are determined by supply and demand. Nations sometimes erect barriers to this free movement of goods and services, such as quotas limiting...
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...arguments against regional economic integration. • Be familiar with the history, current scope, and future prospects of the world’s most important regional economic agreements. • Understand the implications for business that are inherent in regional economic integrations agreements. This chapter discusses regional economic integration, agreements among countries within a geographic region to achieve economic gains from the free flow of trade and investment among themselves. There are five levels of economic integration. In order of increasing integration, they include free trade area, customs union, common market, economic union, and full political union. Integration is not easily achieved or sustained. Although integration brings benefits to the majority, it is never without costs for the minority. Concerns over sovereignty often slow or stop integration attempts. The creation of single markets in the EU and North America means that many markets that were formerly protected from foreign competition are now more open. This creates major investment and export opportunities for firms within and outside these regions. The free movement of goods across borders, the harmonization of product standards, and the simplification of tax regimes make it possible for firms based in a free trade area to realize potentially enormous cost economies by centralizing production in those locations within the area where the mix of factor costs and skills is optimal...
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...International Newspaper Report NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement is a trade bloc between the countries in North America, which are the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This agreement is very helpful when it comes to importing and exporting between these countries. Joining the trade agreement with the United States and Canada was a very smart decision for Mexico from a business standpoint. Mexico looks a lot better to other countries when they are trading with such great countries like the United States and Canada. The article “NAFTA: Learning to Deal with Thy Neighbor” talks about whether the North American Free Trade Agreement is working well between the countries or not. The overall emphasis of the report says that NAFTA has a positive effect on those countries involved, some more than others, but overall it is a positive thing. The leader of international affairs realized that free trade was the solution to the trade deficit, because it makes it much easier to trade between countries therefore more trading will go on between those countries. The article refers to specific sectors that are affected by such things as trade and NAFTA. The first of these sectors is economic. The fact that imports and exports of merchandise trade have rose to over $900 billion each year between the countries just goes to show that NAFTA is doing great things for the economy. The author states that this is great for the economists, but what about the manufacturers...
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...North American Free Trade Agreement and American Job Loss William Gregg Liberty University Abstract America’s promises of increased jobs and exports is waning after the inception of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), ratified in 1994 (Kubasek, Brennan, & Browne, 2015). Many prominent economists and U.S. government officials convinced the American people to support NAFTA by predicting an abundance of growing trade surpluses with Mexico, and the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Now, twenty years later, Americans view NAFTA as a symbol of job loss, and huge lingering trade deficits. Many proponents are touting this agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada as having resounding success. However, a significant number of NAFTA opponents interpret the results as being devastating to the U.S. economy. It is important for American citizens to understand the overall effects of this pact creating the world’s largest free trade area after its initiation twenty years ago. North American Free Trade Agreement and American Job Loss The goal of NAFTA is to eliminate trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and, Mexico (Kubasek et al., 2015). Since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994 (Kubasek et al., 2015), these roadblocks have been either immediately removed or were eliminated over longer periods, ranging from five to fifteen years (International Economics). The volume of trade between the three countries has soared to $1.2 trillion as...
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...Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Issue Identification 4 Slowing Growth in NAFTA Trade 4 Continuation of NAFTA Strategy versus Expansion into Latin America 4 Taking Advantage of Economic Growth in Asia and Emerging Markets 4 Expanding Overseas 4 Environmental & Root Cause Analysis 5 Slowing Growth in NAFTA Trade 5 Continuation of NAFTA Strategy versus Expansion into Latin America 5 Taking Advantage of Economic Growth in Asia and Emerging Markets 5 Expanding Overseas 6 Alternatives and/or Options 6 Slowing Growth in NAFTA Trade 6 Continuation of NAFTA Strategy versus Expansion into Latin America 6 Taking Advantage of Economic Growth in Asia and Emerging Markets 7 Expanding Overseas 7 Recommendations and Implementation 7 Slowing Growth in NAFTA Trade 7 Continuation of NAFTA Strategy versus Expansion into Latin America 7 Taking Advantage of Economic Growth in Asia and Emerging Markets 8 Expanding Overseas 8 Monitor and Control 8 Executive Summary Since Canadian National Railway Company (CN)’s privatization by the Canadian government in November 1995, CN has not stopped growing its sales, profits, cash flow and, as a result, market value. Privatization and deregulation of the rail industry led to some of CN’s success, but CN had to cut costs and increase revenues. Cutting costs meant reducing workforce and closing or selling unprofitable tracks. It also meant investing in more efficient rail equipment and technology. Increasing revenues required focusing...
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