NAFTA Signed by Mexico, U.S., and Canada

Presidents Salinas, Bush, and Prime Minister Mulroney signed the North American Free Trade Agreement, eliminating tariffs on trade over 15 years. For Mexico, it represented Salinas's bet on export-led growth and full integration with the North American economy. Opponents — led by Cárdenas's PRD and later the EZLN — argued it would devastate Mexican agriculture and sovereignty. NAFTA took effect January 1, 1994.