--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: NAFTA, by itself, will not collapse. The…" description: "\"NAFTA, by itself, will not collapse. The possibility is that the United States leaves the treaty, but the treaty itself would keep regulating relations..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal_canada_nafta-by-itself-will-not-collapse-the-po_33209.jpg" --- # NAFTA, by itself, will not collapse. The possibility is… ![“NAFTA, by itself, will not collapse. The possibility is that the United States leaves the treaty, but the treaty itself would keep regulating relations between Canada and Mexico.” quote by Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal_canada_nafta-by-itself-will-not-collapse-the-po_33209.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal_canada_nafta-by-itself-will-not-collapse-the-po_33209.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/031/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal_canada_nafta-by-itself-will-not-collapse-the-po_33209.jpg) > “NAFTA, by itself, will not collapse. The possibility is that the United States leaves the treaty, but the treaty itself would keep regulating relations between Canada and Mexico.” [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The treaty’s institutional structure persists beyond any single nation's participation, so its mechanisms continue to shape bilateral relations even if a major party exits. **In simple terms:** Treaty resilience despite US withdrawal Key Takeaway Treaty frameworks outlive individual members Themes International law Trade policy Regional integration Geopolitics Economic interdependence Mood Analytical Cautious Strategic Type Analytical Policy When to use this quote - Negotiating new trade agreements - Assessing impact of US policy shifts - Analyzing Canada-Mexico trade flows - Strategic planning for businesses operating across borders Key Concepts Treaty continuity Regulatory mechanisms Bilateral relations Regional stability Practical Applications - Policy analysis - Risk assessment for multinational firms Questions to Reflect On - How might the treaty adapt to a US exit? - What mechanisms ensure continuity among remaining members? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Canada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) [Collapse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collapse/) [Mexico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mexico/) [NAFTA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nafta/) ## Related quotes > [ When it \[NAFTA\] was sold, we were supposed to get two or three times more exports to Canada or Mexico than they exported to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/collin-peterson/when-it-nafta-was-sold-we-were-supposed-to-get-two-or-three-times/) [Collin Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/collin-peterson/) > [I can't come back home with an agreement that will not be a win-win-win situation for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/i-can-t-come-back-home-with-an-agreement-that-will-not-be-a-win-win/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [Being able to have the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA is a great honor for us. Being able to speak at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonso-davies/being-able-to-have-the-world-cup-in-canada-mexico-and-the-usa-is-a/) [Alphonso Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonso-davies/) > [Border relations between Canada and Mexico have never been better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/border-relations-between-canada-and-mexico-have-never-been-better/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The precondition to negotiating NAFTA is that we can't go back to the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/the-precondition-to-negotiating-nafta-is-that-we-can-t-go-back-to-the/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [We have to find common grounds. NAFTA is 22 years old. We need to modernize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/we-have-to-find-common-grounds-nafta-is-22-years-old-we-need-to/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [NAFTA has been a great success for the three countries involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/nafta-has-been-a-great-success-for-the-three-countries-involved/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [NAFTA is a trilateral agreement, and it would make a lot of sense to have trilateral discussions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/nafta-is-a-trilateral-agreement-and-it-would-make-a-lot-of-sense-to/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [E-commerce, telecom - those things have to be captured by the new NAFTA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/e-commerce-telecom-those-things-have-to-be-captured-by-the-new-nafta/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [Since its enforcement, NAFTA has been more than a trade agreement. It has made us think of ourselves as a region.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/since-its-enforcement-nafta-has-been-more-than-a-trade-agreement-it/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [A scenario without NAFTA is something we have to think about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/a-scenario-without-nafta-is-something-we-have-to-think-about/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [NAFTA will continue to regulate the relationship between Mexico and Canada.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/nafta-will-continue-to-regulate-the-relationship-between-mexico-and/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [Let me first clarify that NAFTA is a trilateral agreement. The decision of walking away is not of Mexico or Canada. The decision of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/let-me-first-clarify-that-nafta-is-a-trilateral-agreement-the/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [This softwood lumber dispute is a very old dispute that almost follows a dynamic entirely of its own that is actually somewhat independent of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/this-softwood-lumber-dispute-is-a-very-old-dispute-that-almost/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [We're always willing to look at ways NAFTA can work better. But it's a fine line between looking at ways to make it work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/we-re-always-willing-to-look-at-ways-nafta-can-work-better-but-it-s-a/) [Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/) ## More by Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal > [Let me first clarify that NAFTA is a trilateral agreement. The decision of walking away is not of Mexico or Canada. The decision of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/let-me-first-clarify-that-nafta-is-a-trilateral-agreement-the/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [At the end of the day, we have to find a way to compete better with the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/at-the-end-of-the-day-we-have-to-find-a-way-to-compete-better-with/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [NAFTA will continue to regulate the relationship between Mexico and Canada.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/nafta-will-continue-to-regulate-the-relationship-between-mexico-and/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [I do believe that as the country becomes more attractive in the manufacturing sector, salaries can improve, and opportunities can expand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/i-do-believe-that-as-the-country-becomes-more-attractive-in-the/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [We are fed up with complaints that Mexico is stealing jobs from U.S. manufacturing. We are part of the solution that has maintained competitiveness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/we-are-fed-up-with-complaints-that-mexico-is-stealing-jobs-from-u-s/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [The U.S. is a sovereign nation, and if the U.S. decides to build a wall on the southern border, it's their sovereign decision. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/the-u-s-is-a-sovereign-nation-and-if-the-u-s-decides-to-build-a-wall/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [We understand U.S. position, but we have to find a way to make trade translate into better jobs in North America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/we-understand-u-s-position-but-we-have-to-find-a-way-to-make-trade/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [Toyota has 10 plants in the United States... and employs more than 130,000 Americans. If I were Mr. Trump, I'd treat them with more respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/toyota-has-10-plants-in-the-united-states-and-employs-more-than-130/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [At the end of the day, we have obviously our own political realities that will not allow us to approve something that is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/at-the-end-of-the-day-we-have-obviously-our-own-political-realities/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [The next generation of entrepreneurs are already named Martinez or Sanchez.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/the-next-generation-of-entrepreneurs-are-already-named-martinez-or/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [Mexico's government has made a strong commitment to boosting the country's competitiveness in global trade, and the Ministry of Economy recognizes that trade facilitation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/mexico-s-government-has-made-a-strong-commitment-to-boosting-the/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [We can be a very natural partner as a support base for Ireland to use Mexico to enter into the North American and South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/we-can-be-a-very-natural-partner-as-a-support-base-for-ireland-to-use/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [A scenario without NAFTA is something we have to think about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/a-scenario-without-nafta-is-something-we-have-to-think-about/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [Free trade and economic stability do not, by themselves, guarantee success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/free-trade-and-economic-stability-do-not-by-themselves-guarantee/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [If a private investor is raising his hand and saying, 'I don't have the conditions with which to work,' then the government has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/if-a-private-investor-is-raising-his-hand-and-saying-i-don-t-have-the/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) [Explore all 49 Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) ## More Canada quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Plant flowers in others' gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! Submitted by Lisa Letto, Coordinator, Nutrition Resource and Volunteer Centre, College of Pharmacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/plant-flowers-in-others-gardens-and-your-life-becomes-a-bouquet/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [Our country has shown a lack of will to resist its own disintegration .. . Canada is practically the only country left in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/northrop-frye/our-country-has-shown-a-lack-of-will-to-resist-its-own-disintegration/) [Northrop Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/northrop-frye/) > [“Not very long ago I was driving with my husband on the back roads of Grey County, which is to the north and east…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/not-very-long-ago-i-was-driving-with-my-husband-on-the-back-roads-of/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [Purchasing items made in the U.S. for our stores here or Canadian goods for our stores in Canada makes good business sense because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/purchasing-items-made-in-the-u-s-for-our-stores-here-or-canadian/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [One of the things that I miss about Canada is that even the strangers, you have an immediate rapport, there's just an understanding that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/one-of-the-things-that-i-miss-about-canada-is-that-even-the-strangers/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I've never been invited to do an exhibition or do a talk in England, except once, about 10 years ago. I've given talks all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wildsmith/i-ve-never-been-invited-to-do-an-exhibition-or-do-a-talk-in-england/) [Brian Wildsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wildsmith/) > [Canada has become such a staging area for Chinese money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kwan/canada-has-become-such-a-staging-area-for-chinese-money/) [Kevin Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kwan/) > [“To be honest, it's a real relief to go to Canada where I can be among my relatives. Just the kind of break I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-puddicombe/to-be-honest-it-s-a-real-relief-to-go-to-canada-where-i-can-be-among/) [Ken Puddicombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-puddicombe/) > [When I left Canada for Bayern, people said, 'You'll never make it. You'll be back in a year.' I stopped going to school because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/when-i-left-canada-for-bayern-people-said-you-ll-never-make-it-you-ll/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [LEGO has announced that they are shutting down their U.S. factory and moving it to Canada. LEGO employees say it's their fault because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/lego-has-announced-that-they-are-shutting-down-their-u-s-factory-and/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [It's so Canada. On some level, you laugh, but on another level, it's just depressing. We pride ourselves: We're not like the bad old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-backhouse/it-s-so-canada-on-some-level-you-laugh-but-on-another-level-it-s-just/) [Constance Backhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-backhouse/) > [The movement across Canada to fight toxic chemicals is a women's movement. It's a concern about health; it's very intimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/the-movement-across-canada-to-fight-toxic-chemicals-is-a-women-s/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [I grew up working in Canada so everything was low budget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/i-grew-up-working-in-canada-so-everything-was-low-budget/) [Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/) [Browse all 1,873 Canada quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "NAFTA, by itself, will not collapse. 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