The Making of NAFTA

This book offers a detailed exploration of the negotiations that led to NAFTA, highlighting the complexities and influences involved.

How do countries negotiate significant international agreements? In The Making of NAFTA, authors Maxwell Cameron and Brian Tomlin explore this question by providing a comprehensive account of the negotiation process surrounding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This agreement, which took effect on January 1, 1994, has often been discussed but rarely from an impartial standpoint that considers all parties involved. By conducting extensive interviews with participants from the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the authors present a well-rounded narrative that sheds light on the complexities of these negotiations.

The book delves into the political realities that shaped the discussions among the three nations, highlighting the various motivations of the politicians and policymakers involved. Cameron and Tomlin's detailed analysis reveals how individual personalities and competing objectives influenced the course of negotiations. Their engaging writing style makes the intricate dynamics of international negotiations accessible to readers, inviting them to understand the subtleties of public policy making.

In addition to chronicling the specific case of NAFTA, the insights provided in The Making of NAFTA serve as a broader commentary on the nature of international negotiations. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding the multifaceted interactions that occur during such processes, ultimately offering valuable lessons for future negotiations in a globalized world.