https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Free_Trade_Agreement The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA; Spanish: Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte, TLCAN; French: Accord de libre-échange nord-américain, ALÉNA) is an agreement signed by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994.[4] It superseded the Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement between the U.S. and Canada.[5] NAFTA has two supplements: the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) and the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). Most economic analyses indicate that NAFTA has been a small net positive for the United States, large net positive for Mexico and had an insignificant impact on Canada. As some are concerned about the idea of a 20% import tax on Mexican products affecting the US I am reminded at the hundreds if not thousands of farmers put out of business by NAFTA. If there is any good thing about getting older it's the experiences you live through and its results. I remember pre-1994 there being 600 + tomato growers in Florida, fast forward and its 8 growers left in the state thanks to the wonderful act of NAFTA. The easy button explanation is borders were opened, American investment moved south to Mexico to take advantage of cheap labor and we coordinated three countries. The side note to this is it affected only a few businesses and had minimal reaction from the public. Why complain when we can lower food or automobile prices, I totally get this. But once again I will point out it affected only certain industries while leaving most untouched. What if NAFTA affected all business, need a dentist, no problem they must compete with Mexico pricing. Have a problem and need a lawyer, we got that covered as well, as every lawyer is now based on what it cost to do business in Mexico. So when Trump says "they will pay for the wall' even if it means 20% import fees this means first the hedgemony of international businesses that have moved to Mexico. I was in Monterrey Mexico ten months ago, an amazing city of 6 million. Imagine any and every company that comes to mind and its there producing for the initial journey to the United States. NAFTA has been a very selective atrocity that affects a small portion of the everyday Americans doing business. We talk fair trade and equal rights until it encompasses the next bite we put into our mouths, we all buy vehicles so it's easy to ignore the wages of $300 a month in Mexico versus $3,000. We all want clean food that is pesticide free or the idea of whoever is making my Michelin tires beholden to the same rules we encounter but guess what, that's not the case. But it's cheaper, believe me, which is why the Fortune 500 is down there making or producing the items. So as I'm only a representative of the 1.5% who happens to grow food in America I have zero problems with a taste of equality that was once here before NAFTA was introduced.
You know, one thing among several I like about being old is my perspective. I'm not "burdened" by a specific ideology, which means I'm open to different ideas that make sense to me. Ralph's post makes sense to me. I'm not qualified to discuss NAFTA because I only know what everyone else knows regarding its impact on U.S. jobs. Ralph is living it, consequences and all. His is a first person description of the impact on agriculture, which is something I was not aware of until now. To shorten this already too-long commentary, I'll say thank you, Ralph, for educating me in an area with which I have not been familiar.
Ah but Ralph... it wasn't just the food growers who got nipped by NAFTA. In the 90's I worked for Boeing. My facility built a large volume of the electrical harnesses installed in all their airliners. Guess where 100% of the electrical harnesses are now built? Chihuahua Mexico. Almost all of the aerospace industry from the US and Europe gets their electrical products from facilities there.
I had no idea of that Scott, I appreciate you sharing it with us. I'm sure your company was lavishly compensated :roll: Here we are 20 plus years later and it should be evident the benefits NAFTA brought to the country but I have a difficult time seeing them. And I realize that I have a biased view because of its personal affect on my chosen career path. But even in the few moments of clarity I have once or twice a year it's hard to see it's benefit. Sid thank you for your thoughts... AJ you are guaranteed a box of limes on our first harvest. Rumor has it they can add a bit of flavor to an alcoholic beverage. Or that's what Scott and Kes mentioned during their visit last year. I was shocked because I only use them with my sweet tea or cooking for the church social...
LOL, well I was thinking a crown and coke to be honest but I hear you on the beer. Regardless we can accommodate that shrimp taco recipe and help out with some Pico de Gallo as well...