The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is a trilateral trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It was first signed into effect on January 1, 1994 and has been a critical part of the North American economy ever since.
So who was responsible for starting NAFTA? The answer is a little more complicated than simply naming one individual or organization. The idea for a trade agreement between the three countries had been discussed for many years before NAFTA was finally put into effect.
The idea of a North American trade agreement can be traced back to the 1970s when trade relationships between the three countries began to grow. In the 1980s, negotiations began in earnest between the United States and Canada, with the two countries signing the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA) in 1988.
It wasn`t long before discussions turned to including Mexico in the agreement as well. This was due in large part to the growing economic and political ties between the United States and Mexico, as well as the desire to create a more integrated North American economy.
In 1990, the three countries began formal negotiations for a trilateral trade agreement. The negotiations were long and often contentious, with disagreements on issues such as labor standards, environmental protections, and intellectual property rights.
After months of negotiation, the final NAFTA agreement was signed by Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, and US President George H.W. Bush on December 17, 1992. Following ratification by the three countries` legislatures, NAFTA officially went into effect on January 1, 1994.
While the idea for a North American trade agreement had been discussed for many years, it was ultimately the three countries` leaders who brought NAFTA to fruition. The agreement has been controversial at times, but it has also been credited with significantly increasing trade between the three countries and contributing to economic growth in the region.
In conclusion, while it is difficult to pinpoint one person or organization as the “founder” of NAFTA, the idea for a North American trade agreement had been discussed for decades before it was finally put into effect in 1994. The agreement has been a critical part of the North American economy ever since, despite the controversies that have arisen over the years.