Going Green in Manufacturing: The Benefits of Sustainable Practices

Trade agreements have had a significant impact on manufacturing, both in terms of the number of jobs created and the cost of goods produced. The most notable example of this is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was signed in 1994 and went into effect in January of 1995. NAFTA was designed to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and it has had a profound effect on the manufacturing industry in all three countries.

In the United States, NAFTA has been credited with creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in the manufacturing sector. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the agreement has resulted in an increase in exports from the United States to Canada and Mexico of over $1 trillion since 1994. This has led to an increase in the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector, as well as an increase in wages for those employed in the sector.

In addition to creating jobs, NAFTA has also had a significant impact on the cost of goods produced in the United States. By reducing tariffs and other trade barriers, the agreement has allowed manufacturers to produce goods more cheaply, which has resulted in lower prices for consumers. This has been especially beneficial for consumers in the United States, as it has allowed them to purchase goods at a lower cost than they would have otherwise.

Overall, trade agreements such as NAFTA have had a significant impact on the manufacturing industry in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. By reducing tariffs and other trade barriers, the agreement has allowed manufacturers to produce goods more cheaply, which has resulted in an increase in jobs and wages in the sector, as well as lower prices for consumers.