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NewsHour Teacher Center Blog
April 23, 2008
“All three of them took the opportunity at this summit to really make the case that NAFTA has been a boon for all three countries, in terms of jobs, in terms of economic growth”
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“There is some controversy over NAFTA among those who feel they’ve kind of been left behind economically over the past 15 years” play NewsHour video

President Bush, Mexican President Calderon, and Canadian Prime Minister Harper shared their strong support for the North American Free Trade Agreement at their recent trade summit in New Orleans. There’s considerably less agreement about NAFTA on the home front, where it has been a source of hard-to-prove claims and contentious opinions since its inception in 1992. NAFTA, like the Iraq War, is a complex issue positioned to play a major role in the the current presidential election.

Exploring different sides of the NAFTA controversy with your class opens a window on real life economic issues and the global economy that your students will increasingly be dealing with on a personal level. This short news interview provides an easy introduction to NAFTA that can be followed up by class discussion or research using some of the many useful web resources available.

Listed below are a variety of links covering recent NAFTA news stories, teaching suggestions, as well as information and arguments from supporters on both sides of the NAFTA debate.

NewsHour Links
Current Report: Leaders Defend NAFTA Policies at Trade Summit
Extra Story Free Trade Agreement is Key Issue for Ohio Voters
By the People: Economics Discussion Guide
Paul Solman Economics Report: Revisiting 2005 coverage of NAFTA
1997 Report NAFTA: Good Deal Trade experts disagree vehemently
Video Report NAFTA Takes Center Stage in Ohio Debate and transcript. Also covers McCain’s position.
Lesson Plan: Trade Wars: the Candidates Take a Stand the candidates have changed, but not the stands

Other Links
A pro-NAFTA website: Heritage Foundation
An anti-NAFTA website: Global Exchange
NAFTA’s Official Web Site

The Choices Program U.S. Trade Policy: Competing in a Global Economy web links to accompany their in-depth unit exploring the beliefs and values that animate discussion of world trade issues.

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