In 2 parts. The first part briefly summarizes the major provisions of the Agreement and discusses their broad effects on the economy, the environment, labor, and immigration. The second part, organized as a sourcebook, gives more detail on specific provisions of the agreement. It examines the objectives of the negotiators from each country, the major components of the Agreement, and the unresolved issues. Charts and tables.

Analyzes the major effects of the North American Free Trade agreement (NAFTA) on the U.S. economy and the federal budget. Graphs and tables.

In eight parallel analytical histories of the automobile, steel, semiconductor, lumber, wheat, and textile and apparel industries, the contributors demonstrate that trade barriers rarely have unequivocal benefits and may indeed be counterproductive in the long run. They also find that the political and administrative criteria for awarding protection do not take into account the interests of final consumers, other American industries, or foreign countries.

This clear, concise summary of the in-depth analyses presented in The Political Economy of American Trade Policy examines the level, form, and evolution of American trade protection. In case studies of trade barriers imposed during the 1980s to help the steel, semiconductor, automobile, lumber, wheat, and textile and apparel industries, the contributors trace the evolution of efforts to obtain protection, protectionist measures, and their results. A chapter assessing the common themes that emerge from the studies concludes that the focus of current trade law is exclusively on the individual protection-seeking industries, with little regard for indirect effects on using industries or for consumers. Reform could usefully take these effects into account. This volume will interest policymakers, business executives, and anyone interested in trade policy formulation and practice.