NAFTA The North America market is one of the richest in the world. Measured in terms of GDP, it is the equivalent of Western Europe. But with a somewhat smaller population, GDP per capita in North America, Canada, Mexico and the U.S., is around 12 percent higher than in Western Europe. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which came into effect January 1, 1994, sets out the schedule for tariff elimination for members.. As a small country, Canada has always been careful in it's dealings it's large neighbor, the U.S., however, compliance to this agreement threatens our very existence. Canada was unfairly taken advantag