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  5. The Impact of NAFTA on the United States

Journal of Economic Perspectives

ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)

The Impact of NAFTA on the United States

  • Mary E. Burfisher
  • Sherman Robinson
  • Karen Thierfelder
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 15, no. 1, Winter 2001
(pp. 125–144)
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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.

Citation

Burfisher, Mary, E., Sherman Robinson, and Karen Thierfelder. 2001. "The Impact of NAFTA on the United States." Journal of Economic Perspectives, 15 (1): 125–144. DOI: 10.1257/jep.15.1.125

JEL Classification

  • F15 Economic Integration
  • F14 Country and Industry Studies of Trade
  • F13 Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
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