Well, you could believe the State department (http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/344… ): “NAFTA had a modest effect on U.S.-Mexico trade growth, … did not cause the widening U.S. trade deficit with Mexico, … and helped increase bilateral foreign direct investment.”

Or you could believe the Congressional Budget Office (http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/42xx/doc4247/Report.pdf ): “The expanded trade resulting from NAFTA has raised the United States’ gross domestic product very slightly [and by] a much larger percentage for the Mexican economy.”

NAFTA was mostly about trade with Mexico, as we had liberalized trade with Canada in 1989 with the CFTA. According to an Ohio State study of its impacts on agriculture (http://aede.osu.edu/programs/anderson/papers_ol… ), it made consumers in both countries about $1 billion per year better off.

Though obviously not caused by NAFTA, recalls of Chinese lead-painted toys are concerning, for sure. But a measure of perspective is appropriate: recalls of toys, cribs, and other products for young children are routine, no matter where they're made. As for tube socks, if you want better ones, go buy them.

… Obama reversed another campaign position.

This was noted on CNN last night, and I have to chuckle at those who are shocked by this, especially when stated by Obama in Canada.

Note that the disappointed “progressives” who were at the forefront early in his campaign, when nobody else considered him the leader among the Dems and not even serious, were probably not surprised by this but not upset, either, because they've been betrayed before.