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This article comments on the free trade proposal of the U.S. with Mexico in 1992 in relation to the issue of human rights. A reluctant Democratic leadership endorsed the proposal only after an equally reluctant president agreed to address in the treaty concerns about worker rights, public health and safety and the environment. Canada, which entered into a similar free trade pact with the U.S. in 1988, is included in the talks and would become part of a three-way North American Free Trade Agreement that would eliminate almost all tariffs and other trade and investment barriers between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. As pro-business groups made clear in testimony before Congress, there are many U.S. manufactures hoping to open new plants in Mexico if a free trade pact is signed. This would allow the firms to significantly lower their production costs, partially by paying lower wages to workers and by providing them with minimal or no benefits in such areas as health care and pensions. These companies would also realize savings by doing businesses in a nation where business can virtually ignore without fear of penalty work-site safety and environmental regulations. The problem, once recognizing the realities of life in Mexico, is how can meaningful human rights protections be included in a free trade pact. INSET: Sources to consider: U.S.-Mexico issues..

Reports that U.S. President George Bush and Mexican leader Carlos Salinas de Gortari will seek a U.S.-Mexico free-trade agreement which sent a political and economic shock rippling from Mexico City to Ottawa. Effectiveness of the free trade agreement; Benefits that North American free trade area would be reaping; Developments which will restructure the economy of the region.

This article focuses on a decree of provisional President de la Huerta on the establishment of free ports in Mexico. The following decree of Provisional President de la Huerta on the establishment of free ports in Mexico appeared in the Diario Oficial of October 11, 1920. It represents the beginning of two great social reforms-free trade and the single tax. Engineers, headed by Modesto C. Rolland, the originator of the project, are at work now on the practical details involved in the carrying out of this decree. The first free ports will be those of Puerto Mexico on the Atlantic and Salina Cruz on the Pacific.

Discusses the significance of the North American Free Trade Agreement to the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Implementation of the agreement; Trade growth between the three countries; Effect of the agreement on treasury management.

This article discusses the attitudes of U.S. marketers regarding the declining value of the Mexican peso. The North American Free Trade Agreement was the crowning achievement of outgoing president Carlos Salinas de Gortari, who ended a six-year term in December after selling hundreds of inefficient state businesses and slashing inflation from 160% in 1987 to 7% in 1994. While marketers say it's all part of doing business in an emerging market, it does put a damper on the enthusiasm for Mexico, and possibly the rest of Latin America.