Stubborn Facts is a campaign that seeks to engage academics, policymakers and the general public in an ongoing dialogue around key U.S.-Mexico policy issues. The project focuses on trade and migration because we believe that policy decisions affecting these two issues at the core of our relationship with Mexico must be evidence-based. Visit our new page to learn more >>

Mexico is the second most important export market for the U.S., representing 16% of total goods exports. Four states send more than 25% of their goods exports to Mexico: South Dakota (28%), Texas (37%), Arizona (40%) and New Mexico (45%). Our southern neighbor ranks among the top three export destinations for 31 states. Visit our map to learn more >>

1. Where are we now?: Early this month, news swirled about a draft letter from the U.S. Trade Representative to Congress laying out goals for renegotiating NAFTA. Politico's Michael Grunwald tries to read the tea leaves on the administration's intentions and suggests that NAFTA talks could easily turn into Trumpcare 2.0. Read here >>

2. NAFTA explained: This great series of podcasts by Marketplace explores NAFTA vis-à-vis cars, corn, baseball and margaritas, as well as what people get wrong when they talk about the trade agreement. Read here >>

3. Barking up the wrong tree: In this discussion forum, eight renowned thinkers dissect the "worst myth" about globalization--the job losses that accompanied it were impossible to avoid. These thought pieces weigh the policy choices that directly shaped the effect of globalization on local economies and dictated the winners and losers from international trade.  Read here >>

4. Made in North America: The Wilson Center's brilliant study outlines how Mexico and the U.S. combine their comparative advantages and supply chains to build things together. This piece goes behind the scenes of trade balances to explain how the two countries work together to increase the region's global competitiveness.  Read here >>

5. Required reading: The Council on Foreign Relations wrote an excellent backgrounder on NAFTA's impact on the North American economy, tracing the arc of the agreement from initial negotiations in 1991 to the present. The balanced analysis highlights how critics have blamed the agreement for job losses and wage stagnation, while supporters have touted the benefits of integration in terms of regional competitiveness and productivity. Read here >>  

Archived from our conference on the future of the North American economic partnership, view nine videos comprising panel discussions regarding what led to the 1993 signing of NAFTA and what issues are likely to emerge as President Donald Trump considers backing away from U.S. commitments to Canada and Mexico.  Watch videos and view photos >>