We explore the history and issues involved in US-Mexico trade relations in this America Abroad Labor Day special.

While Ross Perot's prophecy of "a giant sucking sound" didn't come true, NAFTA did change the economic terrain of North America. Now when America's booming, Mexico cashes in. But when the US is in the red, Mexico is passing the hat - and that puts the brakes on America's recovery. And the economic ties that bind the US and Mexico are not all above aboard. The escalating violence in Mexico is fueled by the steady stream of narcotics, guns and money that cross the US-Mexico border every day.