Paper No.1: The North American Free Trade Agreement: A Hesitant Handshake Between Neighbors (May 1, 1991) Position Paper

As the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations reach a conclusion it is important to remember what Octavio Paz said, “the precedent of European integration is very important for the future of our region.” Much as been debated about the erosion of cultural identity as three north American countries begin to look forward to closer economic ties. One of the biggest pools of labor live next to the biggest consumer market in the world. It is easy to believe that the free trade agreement is between countries when it is about people. Paz added that México and the United States are “condemned to live together, the past and the future side by side.” The obvious next step is bridging the gap between cultures in the hopes that some day we me reach across the border and offer each other an abrazo, instead of a hesitant handshake between friends.