[19960502]96-389_北美自由贸易协定与美墨牛贸易.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web96-389 ENRMay 2, 1996NAFTA and U.S.-Mexico Cattle Trade(name redacted)Specialist in International Trade and FinanceEnvironment and Natural Resources Policy DivisionSummaryThe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was implemented in January1994. Thus far, no clear pattern has emerged regarding U.S.-Mexico cattle trade: in thefirst year the U.S. trade deficit in cattle fell, but in the second year that deficit reacheda record level. While some U.S. cattle producers blamed NAFTA for the record deficit,the underlying causes were devaluation of the peso, Mexicos economic contraction, anddrought in northern Mexico. Lower U.S. cattle prices, which some also contend werethe result of NAFTA, were the result of several factors including high grain prices andlarge domestic cattle supplies.IntroductionDuring 1995, U.S. cattle imports from Mexico surged in value by 54% from the yearearlier. Over the same time, U.S. exports fell to an almost negligible level. Many cattleproducers in the United States blamed the recently implemented NAFTA for the dramaticchange. Cattle imports from Mexic