Daniel Drache, « Bon Anniversaire NAFTA : The elusive and asymmetrical benefits of a decade of North American integration », Colloque Canada-Mexico Big Picture Seminar, York University, 7 et 8 novembre 2005.

« Ten years after the signing of NAFTA there is no forward momentum nor urgent need to proceed
to the next stage in integration. Increasing trade facilitation, improving the system of trade
dispute panels, and reducing the transaction costs of a security-first border remain a set of
generalized concerns for all three governments. Further integration kinds of projects have met
powerful opposition from the US Congress. The Central American Free Trade Agreement
(CAFTA) received Congressional consent by the barest majority after months of White House
arm-twisting and vote-buying. The Bush Administration is preoccupied with Homeland Security
and, as the quagmire in Iraq costs more American lives and consumes billions of tax dollars,
there are few incentives for Washington to gear up for a battle with the Republican Congress to
broaden and deepen North American integration. Mexican and Canadian public opinion has
expressed little enthusiasm for a big next step and have a lot of doubts and reservations about a
second round of North American integration. »

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