A SPECIAL REPORT: MEXICAN TRADE AGREEMENT

HELP WANTED: A free-trade agreement with Mexico, which would lower tariffs on imports and streamline regulations for commerce, has some support from the retail and construction industries, but it leaves Orange County residents perplexed. . . . Almost half of the residents in a recent Times Orange County Poll said they don’t expect any change or are uncertain about the impact. Few expect it will create jobs. . . . Laura MacLellan, trade expert with the county Chamber of Commerce, thinks attitudes will change as the agreement gets closer, but probably not for the better. “People will start worrying about jobs. . . .”