Neighbors fear NAFTA-bashing American protectionism
For the United States' two immediate neighbors, the Democratic Party's primary campaign has been an unedifying spectacle.
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have tried to outdo each other in blaming the woes of middle America on the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. Both candidates have called for the agreement to be renegotiated, to insert tougher labor and environmental standards.
To politicians across the borders that looks irresponsible. Since it came into force in 1994, NAFTA has benefited all three economies, raising cross-border trade and investment. That applies especially to Mexico.
Not by coincidence, since the signing of NAFTA Mexico has become a democracy and achieved economic stability. This has not halted the flow of migrants to the north. But their numbers would almost certainly have been greater without the agreement -- or if its labor clauses were tougher.
Officials in both countries want more economic integration, not less. Mexican ministers worry that the Democrats' rhetoric plays into the hands of the unreconstructed segments of their country's left. Last month these groups organized a protest, attended by tens of thousands of farmers, against NAFTA...
Full article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/354156_naftaonline09.html
Note: Of course our elites get scared when there's talk of renegotiating NAFTA, when as this article itself clearly states, they want "more economic integration, not less". At least it's been an election issue in the U.S.--if only we could make it one in the next Canadian federal election.
Stumble It!
When did Mexico become a democracy? Not according to the last election it hasn't.