David A. Gantz, the Samuel M. Fegtly Professor of Law and director of the International Trade Law Program at the University of Arizona College of Law, discussed North American trade relations at an April 21 event co-sponsored by the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law at the University of Houston Law Center and the Mexico Center at Rice University's Baker Institute. Gantz focused on the potential effects arising from the entry of Canada, Mexico and the United States into the trade and investment agreements currently being negotiated with European and Pacific Rim allies. The Transpacific Partnership agreement (TPP) will effectively amend NAFTA in several respects, and the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the EU and the United States will further complicate trade relations with Canada and Mexico, America's two most important trading partners. The overlap of distinct agreements creates complexities and could generate increased competition among the NAFTA parties for exports to the EU market. Gantz will provide an overview of the looming structure of trade agreements and discuss the possible areas of confusion.
