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NAFTA, Trade, and Development

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  • Blecker, Robert A.
  • Esquivel, Gerardo

Abstract

In this chapter, we analyze the expectations and the realities about the economic impact of NAFTA on Mexico in terms of economic convergence, trade, investment, employment, wages, and income distribution. We show that NAFTA has basically failed to fulfill the promise of closing the Mexico-U.S. development gap, and we argue that this was due in part to the lack of deeper forms of regional integration or cooperation between Mexico and the United States. We also explore other factors that could explain this negative outcome, and we briefly discuss the opportunities for both Mexico and the United States to mutually benefit from a further economic integration process.

Suggested Citation

  • Blecker, Robert A. & Esquivel, Gerardo, 2010. "NAFTA, Trade, and Development," University of California at San Diego, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies qt07f5g232, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, UC San Diego.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:usmexi:qt07f5g232
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric A. Verhoogen, 2008. "Trade, Quality Upgrading, and Wage Inequality in the Mexican Manufacturing Sector," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 123(2), pages 489-530.
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    6. repec:idb:brikps:59478 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Esquivel, Gerardo & Rodriguez-Lopez, Jose Antonio, 2003. "Technology, trade, and wage inequality in Mexico before and after NAFTA," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 543-565, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Khan, Nazmus Sadat, 2020. "Revisiting the effects of NAFTA," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-16.
    2. Carlos A. Ibarra, 2014. "Trade, investment, and capital flows:Mexico's macroeconomic adjustment to the Great Recession," Working Paper Series Sobre México 2014002, Sobre México. Temas en economía.
    3. Katrin Peters & Monika Schnitzer, 2015. "Trade liberalization and credit constraints: Why opening up may fail to promote convergence," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 48(3), pages 1099-1119, August.

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