Research Paper on:
Free Trade in the Americas

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
jobs was the light at the end of the tunnel for much of America as its citizens looked toward the future with NAFTA. But promises were quick to fade  away as the bright light of hope began to dim. While there are a number of economists who believe that the treaty has been an important addition to the  manner by which the United States conducts trade business, others are more interested in the impact it has had at home. Statistics have demonstrated the devastating effects the Agreement  has had upon the work force since its inception, and they are not good. Still others, however, are certain that American workers have gained considerably from NAFTA. Where  the discrepancy lies is anybodys guess, but one thing is clear: there exist two hotly divided sides to this issue (Anonymous 1997). Mexican maquiladoras have drawn considerable attention throughout all  of the treatys turmoil, being accused of undermining the American job market. These assembly plants, which are primarily foreign-owned, are permitted to import duty-free parts and raw materials that  will ultimately become exported items. These goods, when exported back to the United States, are also tariff-free; however, what has occurred in the process is that Mexicans have done  the work for which an American could have been paid. In opposition to this claim, the National Bureau of Economic Research produced a 1996 study that stated both sides  of the border have benefited from maquiladoras (Anonymous 1997). As the Mexican economy stopped reeling, if not only momentarily, President Clinton was eager to procure the "fast track" (Anonymous, 1997,  p. 11) authority to implement the Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA) agreement that would ultimately bring in the participation of other Western Hemisphere countries. Chile, which was the