<P> Since at least the mid-19th century , numerous concepts for a union among Canada , Mexico and the United States of America , some including the Caribbean , the Central American and the South American countries , have been proposed , such as the North American Technate . Following the North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA ) and the Maastricht Treaty going into effect there was speculation about the formation of a North American Union , similar to the European Union created by Maastricht , being a possible future step for the region . Several proposals for continental integration of North America advocated the creation of a union styled after the European Union , though many academic and business groups advocated less dramatic changes involving the formation of a customs union or common market . </P>
joined mexico and the united states to form nafta
Canada