<P> North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994 effects on Mexico have long been overshadowed by the debate on the Agreement's effects on the economy of the United States . As a key partner in the agreement, the effects that NAFTA has had on the Mexican economy is essential to understanding NAFTA on a whole . A key factor in this discussion is the way the Agreement was presented to Mexico; namely, that it would increase development of the Mexican economy by providing more middle class jobs that would enable more Mexicans to lift themselves out of the lower classes . Thus, wages, employment, attitudes, and migration all present essential areas of analyses to understand effects NAFTA has had on the Mexican economy . The overall economic effects of NAFTA on the Mexican economy have been mild in light of the promises made about the deal when it was being negotiated . Economic growth has been steady at around two percent, but that growth is far from the growth the deal was supposed to bring . However, NAFTA has boosted foreign investment in Mexico, and it has allowed Mexico to boost exports which now compose a large portion of the Mexican GDP . NAFTA has had a mild effect on employment, and wages have largely remained static over the years that NAFTA has been in place . Finally, Mexicans overall have a critical view towards the trade deal, but are generally opposed to a complete repeal of the law . </P> <P> For more information: North American Free Trade Agreement </P> <P> When NAFTA was being developed to include Mexico, the developers of the deal presented it as way to create more middle class jobs in Mexico by increasing development and investment in Mexico . This deal followed a trend of increased neo-liberal policies in Mexico that ultimately made the implementation of NAFTA possible . Placed in the larger context of Mexican economic liberalization, NAFTA represents another step in the historic transformation of the Mexican economy from protectionist to open to trade . The passage of NAFTA represented an important moment for Mexico and the United States, as it represented a tying together of the two economies in a way that had never been done before between two relatively economically unequal countries . </P> <P> The economic growth of Mexico has remained steady between 1.2 and 2.5 percent since the passage of NAFTA, far from the large - scale growth NAFTA was supposed to lead to . This economic growth has not translated in the wage growth that would create higher wages and reduce inequality . However, Mexican trade underwent a rapid increase since NAFTA was put into place, with exports increasing from 8.56 percent of Mexican GDP in 1993 to 36.95 percent in 2013 . This increase in exports led to a decrease in the Mexican trade deficit . The United States is currently Mexico's largest trade partner, with 88.66 percent of Mexican exports going to the United States. (1) As a result, Mexico's economy is largely tied up in the United States' . Due to this increased dependency on the United States' economy, Mexico was affected by the 2008 U.S. financial crisis more than any other Latin American nation . </P>

In what way did the north american free trade agreement come at a good time for mexico
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