Chapter 3: National Treatment and Market Access for Goods Chapter 18: Publication, Notification and Administration of Laws Chapter 19: Review and Dispute Settlement in Antidumping and Countervailing Chapter 20: Institutional Arrangements and Dispute Settlement Procedures PREAMBLE The Government of the United States of America, the Government of Canada and the Government of the United Mexican States, resolved to: STRENGTHEN the special bonds of friendship and cooperation among their CONTRIBUTE to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade and provide a catalyst to broader international cooperation; CREATE an expanded and secure market for the goods and services produced in their territories; REDUCE distortions to trade; ESTABLISH clear and mutually advantageous rules governing their trade; ENSURE a predictable commercial framework for business planning and BUILD on their respective rights and obligations under the General Agreement on ENHANCE the competitiveness of their firms in global markets; FOSTER creativity and innovation, and promote trade in goods and services that are the subject of intellectual property rights; CREATE new employment opportunities and improve working conditions and living standards in their respective territories; UNDERTAKE each of the preceding in a manner consistent with environmental protection and conservation; PRESERVE their flexibility to safeguard the public welfare; PROMOTE sustainable development; STRENGTHEN the development and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations; and PROTECT, enhance and enforce basic workers' rights; HAVE AGREED as follows: PART ONE GENERAL PART Chapter One Objectives Article 101: Establishment of the Free Trade Area The Parties to this Agreement, consistent with Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, hereby establish a free trade area. Article 102: Objectives 1. The objectives of this Agreement, as elaborated more specifically through its principles and rules, including national treatment, most-favored-nation treatment and transparency, are to: (a) eliminate barriers to trade in, and facilitate the cross-border movement of, goods and services between the territories of the Parties; (b) promote conditions of fair competition in the free trade area; increase substantially investment opportunities in the territories of the Parties; 2. (d) provide adequate and effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in each Party's territory; (e) (f) create effective procedures for the implementation and application of this Agreement, for its joint administration and for the resolution of disputes; and establish a framework for further trilateral, regional and multilateral The Parties shall interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement in the light of its objectives set out in paragraph 1 and in accordance with applicable rules of international law. |