Assignment

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Title Block

NAFTA and Texas

It is commonly stated that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” This proverb remains

true today. The United States President, Donald Trump, has recently threatened to abandon trade

deals that he views as one-sided. In a show of solidarity, Texas Democrats and Republicans have

band together in an effort to save the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

This uncommon alliance demonstrates how important NAFTA is to Texas and its

financial system. The Lone Star State began as a land-based economy. Spain and Mexico enticed

settlers to move by offering them vast amounts of land. Settlers began to grow cotton on their

land and Texas’ main source of revenue became the cotton trade. Once oil was discovered in the

late 1800s, the economy quickly diversified with energy revenues. The energy sector saw growth

for most of the twentieth century and helped stimulate other industries, including the technology

and service sectors. Today, seventy percent of the private workforce in Texas is employed within

the services industry (Mora 11). The services industry includes: healthcare, education, real estate,

and trade. The reason that NAFTA is important to Texas is due to the fact that trade encompasses

a large part of its economic activity. Texas exports more goods and services than any other state.

Almost twenty percent of the United States’ exports originate from Texas (Mora 11). Mexico

and Canada are the top two markets for these exports, and together, make up the majority of

Texas trade business. Mexico alone receives about 40% of Texas exports (Drusch). This is due in

part to their shared border and amicable cultures. It has been estimated, by the Texas-Mexico

Trade Coalition, that an estimated one-million Texas jobs are tied to NAFTA (Drusch). NAFTA

has increased the free flow of goods and services between the countries on the North American

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continent. Canada, Mexico, and the United States (especially Texas), have benefited

tremendously from this cooperative trade agreement (Drusch).

Once a bastion for Democrats, Texas is now firmly in the hands of Republicans. The

Anglo majority of its citizens has been eclipsed by a majority-minority population. Despite these

changes, Texan’s values have held firm (Mora 28). An example of these stable values can be

found in its political culture. Texas is firmly classified as a traditionalistic political state, with

overtones of individualism (Mora 27). It is these shared values that have brought together both

parties in defense of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Democratic house member,

Rep. Joaquin Castro, is quoted regarding NAFTA, “It could be a different story other places, but

for the state we represent, Texas has benefited a lot.” I feel that his allusion to how it could be

different in other places perfectly demonstrates the shared values of Texans.

Given the information above, it is easy to see why Texans oppose the abandonment of

NAFTA. Two different viewpoints are frequently embraced by the Republicans and Democrats

and bringing them together in a united cause is hardly normal. There is one concept at play that

deserves attention. Texas Republicans are traditionalist, not only regarding political culture but

also in party values. The same could be said of the Democratic politicians regarding their parties’

agenda (Mora 13-16). Protectionism is defined as the theory or practice of shielding a country’s

domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing or otherwise restricting imports.

Protectionism has often been associated with the Democratic party, while Republicans have

touted the virtues of a free market. Donald Trump stands out as a protectionist Republican.

Other demographics worth noting are per capita personal income and median household

income. In Texas, both of these are lower than the average for the rest of the country, and Texas’

poverty rates are higher than the national average (Mora 24). Considering the role Texas plays as

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a major trading partner with the state leading in exports, NAFTA is, understandably, important.

If trade is restricted, how will jobs be affected and what impact will that have on income?

I applaud both parties sacrifice in forming a union against abandoning NAFTA, not only

because it would hurt Texas economically, but because both parties are stepping outside of their

normal political policies. Texas Republicans are opposing their own parties’ executive leader,

while Texas Democrats have compromised on their protectionist leanings. I feel that our national

government could learn a lot from Texas politicians.

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Works Cited

Drusch, Andrea. “Texas GOP, Democrats unite to save NAFTA from Trump.” Fort Worth Star-

Telegram, www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article197466469.html.

Accessed 5 February 2018.

Mora, Sherri, and William Ruger. The State of Texas: Government, politics, and Policy. 3rd Ed.,

McGraw Hill Education, 2018.