Why a Pragmatic AMLO May Be Here to Stay
Mexico’s economic realities will temper its new president’s more radical ambitions.
Mexico’s economic realities will temper its new president’s more radical ambitions.
Following Tuesday’s events, it is not an exaggeration to say that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is on life support, and it is unclear whether the patient will even survive into the coming year. Though the advance writing was flashing brightly on the wall, the three lead NAFTA negotiators put paid to the … Read more
When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was originally negotiated in 1994, four out of five of the largest U.S. companies built automobiles. Google, Facebook and Amazon hadn’t been born. E-commerce, as such, didn’t exist. That’s part of why NAFTA renegotiations are more than just a political football: they are imperative for the region … Read more
Ford announced this week that instead of building its new Focus – the best-selling car in the world – in a new $1.6 billion dollar Mexico-based plant, it will ship cars for North American customers from China. Ford has promised that its decision won’t reduce its workforce. Yet even if that is true, American workers … Read more
This article is adapted from AQ’s special issue on the U.S.-Mexico relationship. To receive AQ at home, subscribe here. When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was negotiated in the early 1990s, its founders took care to insert an exit clause — as Article 2205. It stipulates that a party might withdraw with six months’ notice and that the agreement would remain in … Read more
Read in English Considerada desde hace tiempo como el epicentro del declive de la industria manufacturera estadounidense, Flint, Michigan, parece haber entrado en una sorprendente nueva fase: la recuperación. Una compañía farmacéutica en expansión y nuevas inversiones en universidades y hospitales están creando nuevos empleos. Los restaurantes y los bares están de nuevo iluminando el … Read more
Those hoping that President Donald Trump will continue his predecessor’s engagement with Cuba have found some unexpected allies. Republican Representatives Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Mark Sanford of South Carolina – all vocal supporters of the new president – have each this year re-introduced bills they wrote during the Obama administration … Read more
This article is adapted from AQ’s most recent issue, “Fixing Brazil.” To receive the print edition at home, subscribe here. Foreign trade will play an important role in Brazil’s economic recovery. With the cooling of internal demand, the international market is critical for revitalizing national industry — a central element of job and income creation. The importance … Read more
Venezuela’s September 1 demonstrations, in which as many as a million people took to the streets of Caracas to demand a change in government, were certainly impressive. But were they effective? If the goal was to fundamentally alter the country’s political direction, the answer is probably “no.” Despite the buzz generated by this month’s protests … Read more
Read in English Estimado(a) Sr(a) Presidente(a): El comercio y las relaciones entre México y Estados Unidos se han destacado como el objetivo de la campaña electoral de este año pero la retórica pasa por alto una realidad inequívoca. Como la siguiente persona que ocupe la silla presidencial de Estados Unidos, usted presidirá el inicio de … Read more
In the new issue of Americas Quarterly, we asked people, “What would you tell the next U.S. president about Latin America?” To see other authors’ responses, click here. Dear Mister / Madam President, Trade is the most potent tool the United States can use to promote a vision of inclusive economic growth with equity across … Read more
Sign up here to get This Week in Latin America delivered straight to your inbox every Monday. Cuba, Argentina Host Obama: Cuba and Argentina each play host to U.S. President Barack Obama this week, with human rights issues shading both visits. Today, Obama will hold a working meeting with Cuban President Raúl Castro, who will then host a state dinner … Read more
Now that U.S. and Cuban flags fly over reestablished embassies in Washington and Havana, the question on many minds is: Is Cuba open for business? The short answer: Yes, but with caveats. In leading four Americas Society/Council of the Americas business delegations to the island over the past three years to explore possible investment opportunities, … Read more
With growth in Latin America expected to decline for a fifth consecutive year in 2015, trade can be a powerful engine for economic renewal. However, it’s clear to most observers that at present this engine is not firing on all cylinders. The World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts a rise of just 0.2 percent in the … Read more