The North American Free Trade Agreement, known usually as NAFTA, is comprehensive trade agreement linking Canada, the U.S.A., and Mexico in a free trade sphere. Unlike the European Union, NAFTA does not create a set of supranational governmental bodies, nor does it create a body of law which is superior to national law. NAFTA went into effect on January 1, 1994.
See: anti-globalization movement.
NAFTA, as an international agreement, is very similar to a treaty. Under United States law it is classed as a congressional-executive agreement.
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| NAFTA initialing ceremony |
See also Free Trade Area of the Americas.