NAFTA Renegotiation

President Trump is claiming that NAFTA is "the single worst trade deal ever." This statement has contributed to recent controversy, especially as Trump moves into the process of renegotiating NAFTA. NAFTA established trade negotiations between the United States, Mexico, and Canada when it was signed into existence by Bill Clinton on January 1, 1994. NAFTA incorporates many conditions and standards that are explained in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

During Trump's Presidential campaign, he advocated for revising or getting rid of NAFTA. Now the time has come where this issue is brought into focus. Trump wants to protect U.S. trade and believes that NAFTA is associated with the loss of American jobs. President Trump, President Enrique Pena Nieto, and the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have held a first meeting where it was decided that NAFTA needed to undergo renovations.

The proposed update of NAFTA has put key industries at risk.

• The automobile industry is closely intertwined with the three countries, and the new agreement may disrupt the industry. This could potentially lead to a decrease in Mexican car production and the loss of jobs.
• The revision of the trade agreement could lead to higher tariffs on apparel. The spike on tariffs would lead to increased prices and the loss of jobs associated with the apparel industry.
• U.S. medical devices are produced in Mexico and therefore poses the risk of having to relocate all the facilities back to U.S. soil if Trump forgoes the agreement. This would create more difficulty in manufacturing processes as the the Food and Drug Administration would have to approve new products.

The loss of this trade agreement can jeopardize jobs and disrupt our way of living. America will continue to hold its breath as it anticipates Trump's decision on the stance of NAFTA.

The OSU Library catalog has many books and online resources that relate to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Come check out these and other resources to make your own opinion about this controversial subject.

 - by Emily Hancz