[Nachum]

We sell more or less to Canada since NAFTA? We sell more or less to Mexico since NAFTA?

I wanted to be sure before I answered you and am looking up statistics. One estimate has our trade deficit increasing to 87 billion with both Canada and Mexico by 2002. Another report by an opposing group has our trade with CAFTA nations increasing to 15.7 billion in 2004. They don't say what it was before NAFTA, but it seems to look good this year. Notice that the Taxpayers' union does not specifically point to the huge deficit with Mexico, nor does it tell us a before and after number. Therefore, one can only conclude we lost with NAFTA, and lost big.

The experience with NAFTA as it can be documented has been terrible for numerous middle class industries in the US. It can be documented that it has deteriorated working condition in the maquiladoras along the border with Mexico and that our deficit is much worse than before. Yes, there are some successes in "free trade", but on balance it was a loser for our country.

[RWR8189]

I can think of some great ways to reduce the trade deficit!

Let's slap some tariffs on those foreign goods, and cause a recession.

I assure you that we will see the trade deficit shrink dramatically!

[Toddsterpatriot]

Didn't ask deficits, asked do we trade more?

We sold $50.8 billion to Mexico in 1994. $110.8 billion in 2004.

Trade in Goods (Imports, Exports and Trade Balance) with Mexico

We sold $114.4 billion to Canada in 1994. $189.8 billion in 2004.

Trade in Goods (Imports, Exports and Trade Balance) with Canada