Economics

A Nafta Win for Trump May Rest on Helping Mexican Workers Get a Raise

  • Closing wage gap with Mexico may deter firms from leaving U.S.
  • Obstacles include weaker worker protections in Mexico

QuickTake: President Trump's Approach to Free Trade

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President Donald Trump has gone after Mexicans for stealing U.S. jobs. Now he’s trying to get workers south of the border a pay raise.

It would be in America’s self-interest. Trump wants to stop U.S. companies from moving to Mexico, where workers earn a quarter of what U.S. counterparts make. Closing that gap might convince American firms to stay, which is why U.S. negotiators will push for higher wages and better conditions for Mexican workers when negotiations on revising the North American Free Trade Agreement get underway next week.