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PETRUS

(3,678 posts)

7. I wouldn't use the single metric of trading volume with Canada to measure success

Mon Jan 9, 2012, 10:41 AM

Jan 2012

The gains from NAFTA have been captured almost completely by what we are now calling "the 1%." Meanwhile, net job losses in the US are estimated to be between 700,000 and 1,000,000. Those job losses, plus the downward pressure on pay produced by the pact, are responsible for several billion dollars in lost wages annually for US workers.

From the point of view of ultra-high net worth investors, NAFTA and similar agreements are indeed successful. But they are tragic from the point of view of the average citizen who relies on salary and wages.

These agreements are also mislabeled - NAFTA and other pacts do not allow for "free" trade. They are full of protectionist measures for industries like finance and pharmaceuticals.

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The Truth About the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) [View all] marmar Jan 2012 OP

As the article indicates, the problems with NAFTA are related to our trade partner to the south. Thaddeus Kosciuszko Jan 2012 #1

...and to the South, Mexico has been transformed into a middle class country with full employment bhikkhu Jan 2012 #5

notsureifserious! You've heard of the severed heads, millions of impoverished expats in el Norte? Romulox Jan 2012 #6

There's more to Mexico that the drug wars along the border. bhikkhu Jan 2012 #14

OK. But you claimed that Mexico has been "transformed". Why so many millions fleeing, then? Romulox Jan 2012 #15

Mexico's emigration rate is effectively zero bhikkhu Jan 2012 #18

Over what period of time? The last year or two? There are over 10 million *illegal* Mexican Romulox Jan 2012 #20

Huh? marmar Jan 2012 #8

Why can't Mexico (China etc.) manufacture for and sell to millions within their borders? FredStembottom Jan 2012 #9

The Mexican story PETRUS Jan 2012 #10

while millions have become "middle class" - bhikkhu Jan 2012 #13

Those statistics are true PETRUS Jan 2012 #19

I wouldn't use the single metric of trading volume with Canada to measure success PETRUS Jan 2012 #7

In the US that is true, but not so much true elsewhere bhikkhu Jan 2012 #17

The data for Canada in that graph ends in the 1990's PETRUS Jan 2012 #22

The American people need to know and understand this. This is crucial to understanding the current think Jan 2012 #2

Who do we vote for if we want to see NAFTA renegotiated??? Obama gave us "free trade" with Korea Romulox Jan 2012 #3

Maybe he'll give us a second chance by promising that again. It worked the first time. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2012 #26

A big shout-out to Bill Clinton on that one. nt Snotcicles Jan 2012 #4

And to William Daley who helped Clinton get a sufficient number of Democratic votes to approve it. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2012 #27

+1 Snotcicles Jan 2012 #29

How the three main trade partners applied the profits of expanded trade might be instructive: bhikkhu Jan 2012 #11

Care to answer questions re: your outrageous assertions, upthread? You don't sound more Romulox Jan 2012 #12

I didn't think they were outrageous, though I know its not a conventional viewpoint bhikkhu Jan 2012 #21

You are ignoring issues like: massive violence, corruption, inequality, and millions of economic Romulox Jan 2012 #23

Good points. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2012 #28

The reality is far less rosy than you seem to think. PETRUS Jan 2012 #16

Your argument misses one very important fact Zalatix Jan 2012 #24

Here's another thread on a similar issue: Heywood J Jan 2012 #25