Afghan envoy fills two-year Ottawa vacancy with focus on trade, investment
After two years without an ambassador in Canada, Afghanistan’s new envoy, Mohammad Hassan Soroosh Yousufzai, says he plans to pick up efforts on trade and investment, while also changing impressions of his country as one defined by conflict. Cultural diplomacy and public relations are also important pillars of his work, said Mr. Soroosh, noting a […]
Three trends to watch in 2020, and cases of déjà-vu
Canada just entered a new decade in 2020, but there are several unsolved challenges that we’ll have to deal with over the coming years. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change are key concerns; an aging population will pressure health care and labour markets, stresses that have already become evident across Canada; and, […]
Trump, who built U.S. trade policy on a lie, leaves Americans hanging with China
OTTAWA—Caught in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war launched by Donald Trump, a California business owner grew increasingly frustrated by the way the U.S. president portrayed the conflict to Americans. “China is paying for the tariffs like Mexico is paying for the wall,” said bumper stickers the business owner had made up last year. […]
Outlasting Trump: the decisive year ahead for Canadians
OTTAWA—The high stakes for Canada in the events of the coming year could not have been made clearer than they were when the Iranians shot down a Ukrainian International Airlines flight near Tehran on Jan. 8, killing all 176 on board including 57 Canadians. The horrendous tragedy was traceable to a mistake by the Iranian […]
Removing internal-trade barriers could be boon for Canada’s agri-food sector
Since this year’s federal election, Canadians have been engaging in important discussions regarding intergovernmental relations. Perhaps unexpectedly, these discussions tie into recent work done by the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. Canada is a diverse country with an excellent reputation for the food we produce; each province has wonderful agricultural products to brag […]
From ‘failed state’ to stability: Rwanda has made ‘impressive’ strides, says envoy
A former Rwandan presidential candidate, who once served as a cabinet minister and a Senate vice-president, is starting his diplomatic career in Canada. High Commissioner Prosper Higiro’s path to politics was “very difficult,” and during a Nov. 28 interview, he explained that journey first began with his family’s decision to stay in Rwanda in the […]
Countries left to ‘absolute uncertainty’ without WTO appeals body, says senior Chilean trade official
As a World Trade Organization’s appellant panel on dispute settlements loses its power, the Chilean vice-minister of trade was in Ottawa to champion a fix to the global trading organization. The WTO’s appellant body is down to a single judge, after the terms of two judges concluded on Dec. 10. Now, the seven-seat panel cannot […]
Ecuador’s future is in mining, and Canada can play a big role, envoy says
With Canada as Ecuador’s “main” direct investor through mines and the extractive sector, the Latin American country’s ambassador says he sees opportunity for growth and an increased “political will” to formalize trade relationships. Though oil makes up half of the country’s exports and a quarter of its revenues, Diego Stacey said “we see that the […]
‘It is just too important’: Conservatives will vote for new NAFTA implementation despite vocal criticism of Liberals’ renegotiations, say trade analysts
Despite their bemoaning of the new North American trade pact, in the end Conservatives will support the deal because it’s too important, say international trade analysts. Before the renegotiated trade pact was amended, the Conservatives stated that they could have negotiated a better deal, but they would support it. But since the amended United States-Mexico-Canada […]
Who will do the heavy lifting on trade policy and strategy? Is that Ng’s job or Freeland’s?
TORONTO—What is Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng’s real cabinet job? To diversify Canada’s exports to make us less reliant on the U.S. market? To be the government’s big thinker on the future of trade policy? To focus mainly on her previous job as cheerleader for Canada’s small businesses? This […]
