How much does “free” trade really cost?
Berger, Rose Marie
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) turns 8 in January 2002. Congress is now considering a hemispheric expansion in the form of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. A look back at life since NAFTA.
8,000,000
Number of Mexican families that dropped from the middle class into poverty since NAFTA.
44
Number of tons of hazardous waste dumped in Mexico daily since NAFTA.
400,000
Number of U.S. jobs lost due to plant relocations.
77%
The average pay of a displaced U.S. worker’s next job, compared to prior salary.
19,000,000
Number of children in Latin America working (and receiving no education) since NAFTA.
$203,000,000
Amount the U.S. agricultural trade surplus with Mexico and Canada increased before NAFTA (between 1991 and 1994).
$1.498 billion
Amount the U.S. agricultural trade surplus fell since NAFTA.
From the Fellowship of Reconciliation (wtvw.forusa.org) and Public Citizen (www.citizen.org).
Copyright Sojourners Jan/Feb 2002
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