PART ONE
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE
Chapter One
Objectives and Scope
Article 101: Establishment of the Free-Trade Area
The Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America, consistent with Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, hereby establish a free-trade area.
Article 102: Objectives
The objectives of this Agreement, as elaborated more specifically in its provisions, are to:
a) eliminate barriers to trade in goods and services between the territories of the Parties;
b) facilitate conditions of fair competition within the free-trade area;
c) liberalize significantly conditions for investment within this free-trade area;
d) establish effective procedures for the joint administration of this Agreement and the resolution of disputes; and
e) lay the foundation for further bilateral and multilateral cooperation to expand and enhance the benefits of this Agreement.
Article 103: Extent of Obligations
The Parties to this Agreement shall ensure that all necessary measures are taken in order to give effect to its provisions, including their observance, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, by state, provincial and local governments.
Article 104: Affirmation and Precedence
1. The Parties affirm their existing rights and obligations with respect to each other, as they exist at the time of entry into force of this Agreement, under bilateral and multilateral agreements to which both are party.
2. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and such other agreements, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
Article 105: National Treatment
Each Party shall, to the extent provided in this Agreement, accord national treatment with respect to investment and to trade in goods and services.