NAFTA: US, Mexico, Canada – Not Japan

What Is NAFTA?

NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement. Signed 1992, effective 1994. Parties:

• United States
• Mexico
• Canada

Japan Was Not a Party

Japan has never been part of NAFTA. It is an Asian economy with separate trade agreements (CPTPP, bilateral EPAs).

Successor: USMCA

• Replaced NAFTA July 1, 2020.
• Same three countries.
• Updated rules: auto content, labor, digital trade, dairy, dispute resolution.

Why the Confusion?

Possibly conflating with TPP/CPTPP (includes Japan, Canada, Mexico, others – but not US after 2017 withdrawal) or general "Pacific trade" associations.