How much does "free" trade REALLY cost? | Sojourners

How much does "free" trade REALLY cost?

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) turns 8 in January 2002. Congress is now considering a hemispheric expansion in the form of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. A look back at life since NAFTA.

8,000,000: Number of Mexican families that dropped from the middle class into poverty since NAFTA.

44: Number of tons of hazardous waste dumped in Mexico daily since NAFTA.

400,000: Number of U.S. jobs lost due to plant relocations.

77%: The average pay of a displaced U.S. worker’s next job, compared to prior salary.

19,000,000: Number of children in Latin America working (and receiving no education) since NAFTA.

$203,000,000: Amount the U.S. agricultural trade surplus with Mexico and Canada increased before NAFTA (between 1991 and 1994).

$1.498 billion: Amount the U.S. agricultural trade surplus fell since NAFTA.

From the Fellowship of Reconciliation (www.forusa.org) and Public Citizen (www.citizen.org).

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Sojourners Magazine January-February 2002
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