The North American Free Trade Agreement has largely been a success, argue the authors (both of the Institute for International Economics), citing increased trade and growth, but there is now a need to implement a NAFTA II that will address some of the issues neglected in the first agreement and a changing global environment. Their primary proposals include the adoption of common external tariff in order to inaugurate a North American customs union, agreement to use the strengthened dispute settlement mechanisms of the World Trade Organization, more energy cooperation in the areas of infrastructure planning and regulation, common visa standards for non-NAFTA visitors and immigrants, updated labor and environmental provisions that are in accord with other recent US trade agreements, and expansion of the capital of the North American Development Bank for addressing environmental and infrastructure needs. Annotation 2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
