PLATFORM : 'The Detrimental Effects . . . Are Occurring Now Without NAFTA'

L.A. Times Archives

Nov. 12, 1993 12 AM PT

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<i> Rep. RICHARD H. LEHMAN, a Democrat from Madera County, was one of the undecided members of Congress invited to dine with the President on Monday. Now Lehman is a "yes" vote on the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Times asked him to explain his decision. He replied, in part: </i>

I concluded that the potential benefits far outweigh the perceived risks. NAFTA is not perfect, but it represents the best hope for expanding the U.S. job base by opening up our markets abroad.

Our competitors are Japan and Europe, not Mexico. The creation of this powerful new North American trading bloc is the most formidable way to meet the challenges inherent in this competition. With NAFTA, the only way the Europeans and Asians will be able to compete in this$6-trillion market is by agreeing to reduce their tariffs on American goods.

All of the detrimental effects that NAFTA opponents anticipate in the wake of its passage are occurring now without NAFTA. U.S. companies have moved to Mexico without NAFTA, and no doubt some will move after NAFTA. However, one principal reason for the migration will be gone: U.S. firms will no longer have to locate in Mexico to compete there.

Critics are correct that the agreement should have more labor and environmental safeguards, but without NAFTA, there are no safeguards at all. The perfect should not be the enemy of the good.

Some critics claim that NAFTA will increase illegal immigration to California in the short term. This ignores the fact that most of the new development in Mexico will occur in the interior of the country, where there is significant infrastructure and plenty of people. And NAFTA will eliminate the maquiladora program--the mini-free trade zone--along the border that is responsible for many of our immigration problems. Regardless of NAFTA’s fate, we need to revamp and tighten our immigration policy

And if the dire predictions prove true, we can pull out of NAFTA at any time. In addition, there will be a congressional review after three years. These options give us ample leverage to guarantee that our national interests are protected.