. . . excellent introduction and overview of developments leading up to the implementation of the North American Free Trade Act. Recommended for general readers and undergraduate students.' -- G.T. Potter, Choice It is rare to find a book written by so many authors that reads as smoothly as this. What distinguishes this volume from other books on the reasons for NAFTA is its wider approach to the topic. Rather than simply focusing on the immediate reasons for the negotiation of NAFTA the authors place this agreement in a larger historical context. They review the evolution of the global economy in the postwar period as well as the specific industrial strategies of the NAFTA partners. A signal contribution of the book is the attention it gives to the analysis of international trade and the benefits of global and preferential trading arrangements.' -- Maureen Appel Molot, Carleton University, Canada This is a first-rate text for undergraduate students because of the readable way the trilateral group of authors from Canada, Mexico and the US discuss the evolution of trade theory and then relate this to the development of trade policy in each of their countries and the process of trade integration in North America.' -- Sidney Weintraub, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC, US Thoroughly researched and lucidly written, this impressive book is not only a key reference source on NAFTA, but a definitive guide to emergent issues in trade policy