Economic and Political Reforms in Mexico

President Carlos Salinas de la Gortari of Mexico addressed the American Society of Newspaper Editors on recent reforms in the economic and political processes in Mexico. In his remarks, President Salinas supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, which would lower tariffs between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is cause for some concern among American labor leaders, who fear that U.S. industry will take advantage of lower wages in Mexico and lay off higher paid and more costly American employees. Critics desire certain additions to the agreement to ensure fair wages and environmental safeguards for industries working in Mexico. President Salinas discussed the economic changes in Mexico in the previous few years, including the reduction of their deficit in relation to their G.N.P. He said the North American Free Trade Agreement would increase the ability of all three countries to gain access to markets through an alliance of trade partnership. close