NAFTA and the Local Economy
* Our region is in the midst of a recession combined with major economic transitions: defense cutbacks, corporate downsizing and troubled manufacturing industries. We are losing jobs at record levels, and will continue to do so unless we can find solutions that benefit not only Southern California but the entire country. We can no longer afford to ignore the formidable threat of the European Community and other trading blocs to our businesses. Interdependence has become the new power base. NAFTA is America’s opportunity to maximize this interdependence and the benefits that come with it. It will produce economic gains both at the national and local level. NAFTA will create a net gain of up to 200,000 jobs in the U.S., accelerate growth of U.S. exports to Mexico, address environmental and labor issues, and stem illegal immigration by improving living standards south of the border. NAFTA will strengthen the international competitiveness of U.S. firms. At the local level, NAFTA will create the proper framework for an economic strategy by which Southern California can regain its leading position in the world economy.
With NAFTA, we can position ourselves to lead in areas where we already have a competitive advantage--such as environmental technology, advanced transportation, tourism and entertainment. We can optimize the 360-million-strong North American market that will be opened up by NAFTA to expand our exports. Consider the factors already working for us as Californians: our increasing exports to Mexico, our entrepreneurship, our proximity and long relationship with Mexico, our bilingual population and our strategic location on the Pacific Rim. NAFTA means our leading industries will create high-wage, high-skilled jobs, the kind of jobs we want to retain. Here in California, NAFTA will create an estimated 30,000 jobs.
NAFTA opponents point out the environmental and labor costs the agreement entails. To the contrary, the supplemental agreements will provide specific action plans to correct environmental hazards along the border and other areas, such as the pollution of the New River in Imperial County. The North American Development Bank will address employment dislocation concerns related to NAFTA.
We are convinced that NAFTA is good for North America and for Southern California.
SUPERVISOR JOHN K. FLYNN
Ventura County
MAYOR SUSAN BROOKS
Rancho Palos Verdes
Co-Chairs, Foreign Trade Committee
Southern California Assn. of Governments
