Canada-U.S. Relations
It’s time to learn from free trade talks and boost COVID-19 collaboration
Canadians are poised for a return to work. It will be a “new normal” with the emphasis on public health. Drawing from trade negotiation experience, we can protect ourselves by incorporating standards and certification reflecting international collaboration and consensus. The government is already pursuing this route as it collaborates internationally in the search for a vaccine. Now is […]
As COVID-19 plays out, the world finds itself at a crossroads
OTTAWA—Like the Second World War, COVID-19 has the potential to be a dividing line that will be felt around the globe for years to come. Seventy-five years ago, it was the sheer horror of the 1939-45 war, in which 60 million were killed and countries were left in ruins, that prompted Western nations, led by […]
Some politicos, dairy groups say the feds promised new NAFTA would start in August, while trade experts say start date was being hurried by Trump
Some opposition Parliamentarians say the federal government misled them on when the new NAFTA will come into force, believing they had an assurance that the updated trade pact would start at the beginning of August and not a month before, to the detriment of Canada’s dairy sector. But trade experts say the Trump administration forced the […]
Ottawa should look to Vietnam amid strained relations with China
Shortages of personal protective equipment for Canada’s frontline health-care workers due to the COVID-19 crisis have prompted urgent steps to seek new supply chains. Initial efforts by Global Affairs Canada entirely focused on China, successfully sole sourcing an expected 145 million new N95 respirators. Canada should also swiftly engage with Vietnam – a partner of […]
Food supply, emergency vehicle repair: keeping Canada-U.S. trade open key to fight against COVID-19, say stakeholders
With the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic having shifted to the United States, industry stakeholders say Canada-U.S. trade is too vital for cross-border commerce to be halted. While non-essential travel between Canada and the United States has been barred since March 17, with commerce being exempted, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly floated ending physical distancing […]
Start date for new North American trade pact could be pushed back amid coronavirus pandemic, says NAFTA Council member
As the White House seeks to have the new North American trade deal in force by the beginning of June, a member of the government’s NAFTA advisory group says that timeline is unlikely to be met. Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff told The Hill Times that the group held a call earlier this month […]
Agricultural priorities before and after COVID-19
Parliament is now suspended until at least April 20 in the wake of the recent COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, as parliamentarians do their part in social distancing. With the support of all parties, a motion was moved in the House on Friday, March 13, which moved certain legislative measures ahead with great rapidity. Among […]
How free trade agreements can boost the presence of Canadian agri-food products in the global market
Canadian agriculture is increasingly dependent on foreign markets to drive demand growth. Agriculture continues to be a highly protected sector in international trade. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) aim to reduce these barriers through bilateral and multilateral negotiations giving Canadian agri-food exporters preferential trade access. These FTAs, however, do have a differential impact in promoting agri-food. […]
Farmers need a champion, the Liberals haven’t answered the bell
Canadian agriculture is a critical pillar of our economy, but it can only reach its full potential with reliable, strong trade agreements. The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sectors account for more than $100-billion in economic activity every year and employ more than two million Canadians. However, few countries are as reliant on global trade as […]
