Is President Obama a protectionist or pro-free trade? Both, according to a recent Los Angeles Times editorial. President Obama has been quoted as saying more jobs are created and costs are lowered in a free trade economy. But, the recent Stimulus plan angered many with the 'Buy American' clause attached to the plan.

Although I'm rushed for time today, there's an interesting editorial in the LA Times called "Obama and free trade: What's the deal?" written by, well, it doesn't really say.

Canada's largest generic drug manufacturer has voluntarily recalled three of its medications "as a precautionary measure."

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Here are the specifics from the Proclamation:

Bad news for NAFTA: Surface trade decreased by 31.5% in the month of June versus the same time last year, according to the BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mexican officials have fired all 700 customs inspectors to root out corruption. 1,400 newly trained inspectors are hired as replacements. The new inspectors were heavily trained to detect fire arms, drugs, tvs, and other popular items smuggled into Mexico on a daily basis.

According to The Journal of Commerce trade surface transportation has fallen by 31 percent in June as compared to last year statistics. June was the ninth month in row showing a decline in trade and the eighth showing a double digit loss.

Surface transportation between the U.S., Canada and Mexico has dropped by almost 35 percent over the last 5 months, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Boskage Trade News has a great post about the NAFTA Tariff shifts.