| The period of free trade from 1989 to 2008 coincided with a strong expansion of Alberta’s exports. Our review shows that several factors contributed to this success. In addition to favorable trends in energy and commodity prices, the improved access to the US and Mexican markets that resulted from the CUSFTA and NAFTA are shown to be major causes of the positive development of Alberta’s exports. In particular, the significant increase in manufacturing exports can be attributed to the free trade agreements because manufacturing products face higher tariffs in export markets than do raw materials and energy products. Alberta’s manufacturing sector, therefore, emerges as a major beneficiary of freer trade. As a result, Alberta’s economy has become more... |
