A draft has not been completed, though the negotiating countries wanted to have it completed in 2000, Eschker said. The countries are using the World Trade Organization as a working model for the draft, he said. Once the draft is completed, all the negotiating countries will have to ratify the pact. This trade agreement took effect as a customs union and partial free-trade zone in 1995. It doesn't lend too much confidence to South America.
Brazil is the big player south of Mexico.
Things won't change as much in the United States as in Mexico. But in trade there are winners, and there are losers. He said since it is a free exchange, participation is by consent. It is like selling books back at the end of the semester. Students can choose whether or not to sell their books to the bookstore.