The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trilateral free trade agreement signed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 1994. The objective of NAFTA was to eliminate trade barriers and promote economic cooperation between the three countries.

NAFTA is one of the largest trade agreements in the world, governing the commerce of approximately 500 million people and generating a combined GDP of almost $23 trillion. Under NAFTA, the three countries agreed to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in goods and services and to protect intellectual property rights.

NAFTA has had a significant impact on the economies of the three countries. It has facilitated the growth of cross-border trade, increased investment, and created new job opportunities. However, some critics argue that NAFTA has also had negative effects, such as the loss of jobs in certain sectors due to increased competition and the exploitation of labor and environmental standards.

In recent years, there have been efforts to modernize NAFTA. In 2018, the three countries agreed on a new version of the agreement, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA includes updated provisions on digital trade, intellectual property, and e-commerce. It also includes new labor standards and environmental protections.

Overall, NAFTA has had a significant impact on the trade and economic relations between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It has helped to facilitate cross-border trade and investment, but has also faced some criticisms. With the recent updates in the form of USMCA, it is expected that the agreement will continue to drive economic growth while addressing some of the concerns and criticisms that have been raised over the years.