Do you think that the conformation of The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) is possible/advisable?

Question

Do you believe that an attempt of integration with Latin America is possible/convenient, to the way of the European Union?

FTAA
Y: 6
N: 8

Answer 1

There are very significant differences with the EU. The EU is a contiguous array of viable economies linked by rail and road communications. Simplifying border crossings to virtual invisiblity and establishing a common currency has facilitated trade beyond expectations. (Note that due to tourism, they had already found a common language - English!) The EU is mostly about integration of commerce amongst countries that were already dependent on each others industry.

NAFTA is a negotiation about markets. The USA wants Latin America to spread its legs wider for American capitalists; Latin America wants the USA to open its mouth wider for Latin products. The issues are tariff and non-tariff barriers. The only border issue is with Mexico, and that is about labor and social issues, and perhaps terrorism, but not about impedements to the flow of goods.

The EU success was a special, unique case. They were countries with intertwined economies impeded by nationalistic constraints, and some very smart people did something about it. NAFTA is nothing more than the modern version of those tariff give and takes that we use to do in Switzerland.

Mochica

Answer 2

Sure, we haven't had a civil war or blood thirsty revolt for a while now.

Only thing is can't figure out why people in the southwest keep saying they're being kicked out by the illegals, 2 million alone in southern california.

Now, why would all of Mexico and South America want to have free trade labor and all come up here on taxpayer expense?

It only makes sense to you if your heritage is part of those countries.

Answer 3

No, I think it would be a very bad idea. Integration with coequal economies with similar social benefits (universal education, health care, etc.) is possible, but benefits and economies are too disimilar between Latin America and the US and Canada on the other hand. To the same extent that it might raise up Latin America's standard of living, it would depress ours.

Answer 4

I think free trade has cost the USA a lot of jobs.I been over seas and watch companies closing here and going to other countries for cheaper labor cost.
People here want to blame immigrants when it there own Government that has cost them there jobs.And i don't care which way you vote i am not either republican or Democrat.To me they all working together to fill there own pockets.
I myself would rather put a independent honest person in the house and Senate and white House rather than to vote for someone just because of the party they belong to.

Answer 5

Definitely

Answer 6

Nooooo....the dis-parity between our economies is so great, if you open up all the borders etc., soon we'll have about 150 million or so new 'residents' that don't speak english...recipe for disaster, there. What DOES need to happen is that the citizens of those countries need to try and improve their local economies to the point where they can support themselves. Trade agreements tend to benefit only already-wealthy investors, not the citizens.

Answer 7

Yes....Absolutely....The slow and systematic conversion to open borders with Mexico and Canada, was the reason for The Free Trade and NAFTA....IMO

The challenge is bring Mexico up to first world status....It will be interesting to see how the elites will do this....What will be the fall out..?

Answer 8

Absolutely.

Answer 9

Possible? Sure. Advisable? Hell no.

Answer 10

that is harder than europe,because there are the country in the south the US dislike, with interest conflict