Quiz: How Much Do You Know About NAFTA?

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When the North American Free Trade Agreement took effect five years ago, its proponents were crowing about the 200,000 new jobs it would create in the United States, the prosperity it would bring to Mexico, and the environmental initiatives it would spur. Well, the report card's in (a study by Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, to be precise), and, as The Nation (Jan. 25, 1999) reports, the results certainly have been surprising. This reality check will get you current on NAFTA's impact—and help you measure your own feelings about free trade.

1. Number of certified U.S. jobs lost to NAFTA, according to U.S. government figures:

a) 1.3 million
b) 214,902
c) 4,638
d) None

2. Four of every ten U.S. products exported to Mexico consist of:

a) Assorted military hardware to squash the Chiapas rebels
b) Parts shipped to plants owned by American companies to be assembled and sold in the United States
c) Licensed NBA or Major League Baseball merchandise
d) Tortillas, salsa, and other Mexican food

3. Mexican productivity has soared by 36.4 percent since NAFTA, while wages have:

a) Decreased by 72 percent
b) Decreased by 29 percent
c) Remained essentially unchanged
d) Increased by 13.8 percent

4. Half of all U.S.–imported produce now comes from Mexico. What percentage of this produce is inspected?

a) 90 percent, but the inspectors are bribed
b) Less than 2 percent
c) 58 percent
d) 100 percent, with the assistance of the U.S. government

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