Trade Agreements

On January 1, 1994, the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  While negotiators touted as a way to create jobs and raise the standard of living in all three countries, civil society organizations, who had no voice in its creation vehemently opposed the agreement, fearing devastating consequences for the environment, indigenous sovereignty, workers rights, and the rural poor.  Almost 15 years later, our fears have unfortunately come true. Two million Mexican farmers have lost their livelihoods, real wages have declined, and corporations have successfully sued local governments for passing laws to protect public health and the environment. 

Despite this dismal record, the U.S. Trade Representative continues to use NAFTA as its model for trade agreements.  The U.S.'s attempt to extend NAFTA to the entire hemisphere as the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) failed due to tireless organizing throughout the hemisphere.  While we celebrate this victory, the U.S. government, cheered on my U.S. multinational corporations, continues to push NAFTA-style trade agenda to many countries.  In 2006, despite massive opposition, the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) went into effect, and the U.S. has negotiated similar agreements with Peru, Colombia and Panama. 

These trade agreements represent a failed model, and Witness for Peace is dedicated to working with our partners throughout the hemisphere to block new trade agreements, such as the U.S. Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and change existing agreements, such as NAFTA and CAFTA.  We support a new approach to trade, which lifts up instead of exploits our southern neighbors.  We support fair trade initiatives as well as other alternatives.