1. North American Free Trade Agreement
NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement
Implemented – January 1, 1994
Purpose – remove trade barriers and encourage investment between the United States, Canada, and Mexico

2. Tariffs
Tariff – A tax countries put on imported goods to make sure their goods can compete
Canadian and United States agricultural import tariffs are zero, except for Canadian poultry and United States sugar
As of January 1, 2003, Mexican import tariffs are zero except for corn, dry beans, non-fat dried milk, orange juice and sugar, all of which are subject to tariff-rate quotas

3. NAFTA Advantages
Agricultural trade between the United States and Mexico increased 149% since 1993, reaching $15.8 billion in 2004
Agricultural trade between the United States and Canada increased 112% since 1993
In 1993, United States goods faced an average tariff at the Mexican border of 10%
Five times the 2.07% rate the United States imposed on Mexican goods. 
With NAFTA, Mexico’s average tariff has fallen to about 2%

4. NAFTA Advantages
United States imports and exports have grown. Without NAFTA, the Unites States may have lost expanded export opportunities
United States agricultural exports to Mexico have more than doubled

5. NAFTA Disadvantages
NAFTA allowed United States manufacturers to move jobs to lower-cost Mexico where labor is less expensive. Manufacturers that remained had to decrease wages to compete.
Mexico's farmers were put out of business by United States subsidized farm products. NAFTA provisions for Mexican labor and environmental protection were not strong enough, allowing for exploitation.
Employers in industries that could move to Mexico used that as a threat during union organizing drives, thus suppressing wage growth.

6. NAFTA Disadvantages Maquiladora Program
United States companies employ Mexican workers near the border to cheaply assemble products for "export" to the United States. Workers are exploited.
Mexico’s agricultural businesses have increased its use of fertilizers and other chemicals, costing $36 billion per year in pollution.