NAFTA and the Mexican Economy. M. Angeles Villarreal, Specialist in International Trade and Finance, and Marisabel Cid, Research Associate. CRS Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division. RL34733.
November 4, 2008.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in effect since January 1994, plays a very strong role in the bilateral economic relationship between Mexico and the United States. The two countries are also closely tied in areas not directly related to trade and investment such as security, environmental, migration, and health issues. The effects of NAFTA on Mexico and the state of the Mexican economy have important impacts on U.S. economic and political interests. As NAFTA approaches its 15th anniversary, a number of policymakers have raised the issue of revisiting NAFTA and renegotiating parts of the agreement. Some important factors in evaluating NAFTA include the effects of the agreement on Mexico and how these relate to U.S.-Mexico economic relations.

NAFTA at 15: Building on Free Trade. Steven Zahniser and Zachary Crago. USDA, Economic Research Service. Outlook Report No. WRS-09-03.
March 2009.
Implementation of the agricultural provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has drawn to a close. In 2008, the last of NAFTA’s transitional restrictions governing U.S.-Mexico and Canada-Mexico agricultural trade were removed, concluding a 14-year project in which the member countries systematically dismantled numerous barriers to regional agricultural trade. During the implementation period, the agricultural sectors of Canada, Mexico, and the United States have become much more integrated.

U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications. M. Angeles Villarreal, CRS Specialist in International Trade and Finance. RL32934.
April 03, 2009
Over the last decade, the economic relationship between the United States and Mexico has strengthened significantly. The two countries continue to cooperate on issues of mutual concern. On March 23, 2005, the leaders of the United States, Canada, and Mexico met to discuss issues related to North American trade, immigration and defense. After the meeting, the three leaders announced the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), an initiative that is intended to increase cooperation and information sharing in an effort to increase and enhance prosperity in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In April 2008, the North American leaders held a summit to discuss how they might further advance the goals of the SPP. The three leaders decided that their respective ministers should continue to renew and focus their work in the five SPP priority areas.

Why Certain Trade Agreements Are Approved as Congressional-Executive Agreements Rather Than as Treaties. Jeanne J. Grimmett, Legislative Attorney, CRS American Law Division. 97-896.
Updated April 15, 2008.
U.S. trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), World Trade Organization agreements, and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) have been approved by majority vote of each house rather than by two-thirds vote of the Senate — that is, they have been treated as congressional-executive agreements rather than as treaties.