Any opinions?

I am wondering whether any NIU students or faculty have any opinions on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This is an issue that is being heavily debated across the country, with the exception of NIU. I happen to be a strong supporter of NAFTA. I believe NAFTA will create American jobs and it will make the United States more competitive.

Opponents of NAFTA seem to think that its passage will mean job losses in the U.S. and environmental destruction along the U.S.-Mexico border. Well, I have got news for them—both of these things are already happening without NAFTA. With NAFTA, Mexico’s living standards will increase and thus give Mexico more money to pay for environmental cleanup and buy American products.

Mexico is already America’s third largest trading partner. In fact, Mexico buys as much from the U.S. as the much more wealthy and populous Japan does. another fact is the U.S. has a trade surplus with Mexico. It is clear that NAFTA is a win-win situation for the U.S. and Mexico. There is much at stake with the passage of NAFTA. Let us hope that Congress makes the right decision.

Jesus E. Zuniga

Sophomore

Pre-Business