Is the SPP an international agreement similar to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement between the Governments of Canada, the United States and Mexico to eliminate barriers to trade and facilitate cross-border movements of goods and services between their territories. NAFTA establishes a predictable, rules-based framework governing trade between the three countries. The SPP is neither a treaty nor an international agreement but rather an ongoing dialogue among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to address common challenges across North America. The unique partnership is based on respect for each country’s sovereignty, unique heritage, culture and laws. It builds on existing positive and productive bilateral and trilateral relationships established with Canada’s North American partners, through such mechanisms as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); the Canada-U.S. Smart Border Declaration; and the Canada-Mexico Partnership. All three countries will also continue to interact bilaterally when appropriate.
