The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is a landmark trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It has been a subject of constant debate among politicians, economists, and the general public since its inception in 1994. However, many people are still unaware of the origins of this agreement, and specifically, which president started the NAFTA agreement.

The NAFTA agreement was actually initiated by President George H.W. Bush, who announced in 1990 his intention to negotiate a free trade agreement with Mexico. At the time, the U.S. and Mexico had been discussing the possibility of a trade agreement for several years, but it was only after President Bush`s announcement that negotiations began in earnest.

However, it was President Bill Clinton who ultimately signed the NAFTA agreement into law in 1993. As a candidate, Clinton had initially been critical of the agreement, but after taking office, he came around to the idea of free trade and worked to push the agreement through Congress.

Despite its controversial nature, NAFTA has had a significant impact on the economies of all three countries involved. It has opened up new markets for goods and services, increased investment opportunities, and led to the creation of thousands of jobs.

However, NAFTA has also been criticized for leading to the outsourcing of American jobs to Mexico and for contributing to income inequality. The agreement has been a major issue in several American presidential campaigns, with candidates on both sides of the aisle pledging to either renegotiate or withdraw from the agreement altogether.

In conclusion, while it was President George H.W. Bush who initiated negotiations for the NAFTA agreement, it was President Bill Clinton who ultimately signed the agreement into law. Whether it is viewed as a success or a failure, there is no denying that NAFTA has had a profound impact on the economies of North America and will continue to be a subject of debate for years to come.