The Impact of NAFTA on the United States

Mary E. Burfisher, Sherman Robinson and Karen Thierfelder

Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2001, vol. 15, issue 1, 125-144

Abstract: We describe the main economic arguments posed for and against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during the U.S. policy debate. To evaluate these arguments, we analyze recent trade data and survey post-NAFTA studies. We find that both the U.S. and Mexico benefit from NAFTA, with much larger relative benefits for Mexico. NAFTA also has had little effect on the U.S. labor market. These results confirm the consensus opinion of economists at the time of the debate. Finally, studies find that trade creation greatly exceeds trade diversion in the region under NAFTA, especially in intermediate goods.

JEL-codes: F13 F14 F15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001
Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.15.1.125
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (68)

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