Three national structures separated by reflective glass borders, with a rusted semi-truck stuck at a border crossing, symbolizing reluctant integration.

Beyond the Flat World - Part 5: The Reluctant Triangle: Why NAFTA Couldn't Fully Integrate the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

Beyond the Flat World 1 Beyond the Flat World - Part 1: The Hidden Geography of Commerce: Why Globalization Is a Myth and Regionalism Is the Reality 2 Beyond the Flat World - Part 2: Shipping Containers, Satellites, and SWIFT: The Paradoxical Technology That Made Neighbors Stronger Than Distant Partners 3 Beyond the Flat World - Part 3: From Coal to Currency: How Europe Engineered a $17 Trillion Neighborhood Economy Through Treaties and Trust 4 Beyond the Flat World - Part 4: Factory Asia: The Invisible Supply Chains Built by Flying Geese, Conglomerates, and Cash (Not Handshakes) 5 Beyond the Flat World - Part 5: The Reluctant Triangle: Why NAFTA Couldn't Fully Integrate the U.S., Canada, and Mexico 6 Beyond the Flat World - Part 6: The Next Battleground: How 5G, Robots, and Digital Consumers Are Deepening Regional Economic Advantage 7 Beyond the Flat World - Part 7: Competing in the Regionalized World: Why Isolation Breeds Stagnation and Partnerships Promise Prosperity ← Series Home The world’s economic landscape is defined by three powerful regional hubs: Asia, Europe, and North America. While Europe forged its economic dominance through diplomatic treaty-making and supranational legal institutions, and Asia achieved its scale through flexible, corporate-led supply chains, North America’s integration followed a distinct—and ultimately less cohesive—path. ...