The United States’ Strategic Involvement in Regional Trade Agreements: A Comparative Analysis Between NAFTA and USMCA

For a long time there has been this profound sense of uncertainty, questioning whether the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) actually fell in line with the national interests of the United States. Following the election of President Donald Trump in 2016, Trump strongly opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement, calling it “the worst trade deal in history,” promising to reevaluate the trade agreement and alter the existing economic model. This reevaluated trade agreement would later be known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The United States played a crucial role in the transition from NAFTA to the USMCA to advance its national interests. The national interests of the United States’ include addressing trade imbalances, protecting domestic objectives, and lastly by modernizing trade provisions. By renegotiating the agreement, the US aimed to correct unfavorable trade imbalances with Canada and Mexico, safeguard American industries and jobs through...Show moreFor a long time there has been this profound sense of uncertainty, questioning whether the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) actually fell in line with the national interests of the United States. Following the election of President Donald Trump in 2016, Trump strongly opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement, calling it “the worst trade deal in history,” promising to reevaluate the trade agreement and alter the existing economic model. This reevaluated trade agreement would later be known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The United States played a crucial role in the transition from NAFTA to the USMCA to advance its national interests. The national interests of the United States’ include addressing trade imbalances, protecting domestic objectives, and lastly by modernizing trade provisions. By renegotiating the agreement, the US aimed to correct unfavorable trade imbalances with Canada and Mexico, safeguard American industries and jobs through enhanced labor and environmental standards and, modernize trade provisions to reflect modern economic realities, including digital trade and intellectual property. Changing the terms of NAFTA in this way allowed US officials more latitude and control over the terms of trade, enhancing its position/power on a regional and global scale.Show less

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The United States’ Strategic Involvement in Regional Trade Agreements: A Comparative Analysis Between NAFTA and USMCA