From: harelb@math.cornell.edu (Harel Barzilai)
Subject: NAFTA: The Next Steps
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: misc.activism.progressive on UseNet ; ACTIV-L@UMCVMB
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 06:40:22 GMT


    "It's a stupid proposal and every American ought to oppose it.
    It's good for Wall Street, but it is not for the average
    American," said
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Topic 142       TRADE.NEWS/NAFTA SPECIAL 8-13-92 
kmander Updates on GATT & NAFTA Negotiations     7:48 pm  Aug 13, 1992 
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TRADE NEWS BULLETIN  
Thursday, August 13, 1992 
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NAFTA News Summary 
_________________________________________________________ 
THE NEXT STEPS FOR NAFTA 

The U.S. Congress is not expected to vote on the NAFTA until  
next spring at the earliest.  Analysts say it faces an uphill battle,  
with support resting on whether or not the environment and  
U.S. jobs are given adequate protection. "It's a stupid proposal  
and every American ought to oppose it.  It's good for Wall  
Street, but it is not for the average American," said  
Representative Bob Traxler (D-Michigan).  Peter Domenici (R- 
New Mexico) said, "I am optimistic that the Congress will rise to  
the challenge and approve this trade agreement which has the  
potential to become a real engine for economic prosperity for  
the U.S., Canada and Mexico."   

Canadian observers said Conservative Prime Minister Mulroney  
will have a difficult time securing parliamentary approval for  
the NAFTA.  The Liberal and New Democrat opposition parties  
released statements denouncing the deal.  Ontario Premier Bob  
Rae said Mulroney was pandering to the wishes of President  
Bush by agreeing to the NAFTA now.  Mulroney must call an  
election by fall of 1993 but could use the Conservative's 10-seat  
majority in Parliament to push the agreement through in the  
meantime. 

Government sources said Salinas will have little trouble winning  
support for NAFTA from the PRI-dominated Senate. 

Source:  "Trade Pact is Likely to Step Up Business Even Before  
Approval, WALL STREET JOURNAL, August 13, 1992;  Michelle  
Mittelstadt, "Free Trade:  Congress," AP, August 13, 1992; Greg  
McCune, "Mulroney Faces Uphill Battle Selling NAFTA Deal,"  
REUTER, August 12, 1992;  Tod Robberson, "Mexican President  
Welcomes Accord on Trade Pact He Proposed," August 13, 1992. 
_________________________________________________________ 
NAFTA'S EFFECT ON GATT NEGOTIATIONS 

US Trade Representative Carla Hills said she hopes now that  
NAFTA is finished that the GATT negotiations will conclude this  
year.  "I hope the fact that it is very visible that the United  
States is a leader in trade liberalization... will energize the global  
negotiations that are so important," she told a press conference  
yesterday.   

GATT Director-General Arthur Dunkel acknowledged that  
Article 24 of GATT allows for the negotiation of regional free  
trade agreements.  However, Dunkel also cited fears by some  
parties that they may be squeezed out by those who do not  
have to pay tariffs under the NAFTA.  He said a working party  
is being established to examine the NAFTA and admitted that  
many contracting parties want a close look at the text. 

Source:  "GATT Neutral on North American Trade Pact," REUTER,  
August 13, 1992; "U.S. Hopes GATT Accord Will Be Reached This  
Year," REUTER, August 12, 1992. 
_________________________________________________________ 
Produced by: 
Kai Mander and Michelle Thom   
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) 
1313 Fifth Street SE, Suite #303 
Minneapolis, MN 55414-1546 USA 

Telephone:(612)379-5980 Fax:(612)379-5982  
E-Mail:kmander@igc.org 
_________________________________________________________ 

Newsgroups: alt.activism,alt.society.revolution