Politicos, negotiators, and behind-the-scene players: key faces of NAFTA
The politicians Robert Lighthizer As U.S. Trade Representative, Mr. Lighthizer is tasked with bringing President Donald Trump’s tough talk and America First agenda to the table. Since the rounds of negotiation began in August, he’s been balancing mixed signals from his boss, who spoke of mere “tweaks” to the pact but has since hardened that […]
Chrystia Freeland, for the record
The following are excerpts from Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland’s (University-Rosedale, Ont.) responses to reporters in the House foyer, Nov. 21 after Round 5 wrapped up in Mexico. Round 6 of NAFTA talks is set to start in Montreal next week. Sunset clause: no need for two ways to get divorced “I’ve been married for 19 […]
Who decides on energy projects?
Last month, the latest twist in the ongoing saga over pipeline politics in Canada took place in a hearing room of the National Energy Board. At issue was whether the City of Burnaby is obstructing federal approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion by dragging its feet on processing local bylaws. The board decided to […]
NAFTA leaves workers coming up short
While NAFTA talks continue in Ottawa, very little focuses on its impacts on working people. Before committing to any agreement, we need to ensure that Canadians’ lives and our communities have been improved by this trade relationship. Twenty-three years ago when NAFTA was originally negotiated by the Mulroney Conservatives, they tried to sell Canadian workers […]
Chief trade promoter embodies work-life, public-private balance
Ailish Campbell’s eight-year-old son tells his friends his mom sells bread and airplanes. And he’s not totally wrong—wheat and aircraft are two of Canada’s largest exports. As Canada’s chief trade commissioner, Ms. Campbell travels about one week per month promoting Canadian business, helping Canadian exporters, and attracting foreign investment. “I’m like, ‘okay cool, on some […]
NAFTA talks: thinking creatively on trade remedies
Canada’s new case against the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a bold move. The action not only backstops Canada’s existing softwood lumber litigation under the WTO and NAFTA, but also challenges the whole U.S. trade remedy system on behalf of many other countries. The case will likely fuel more fury between […]
NAFTA
On NAFTA, Canada agrees to discuss the unthinkable
Canada seems to be quietly backing down on the North American Free Trade Agreement. It is now willing to bargain U.S. demands that the Liberal government had formerly dismissed as deal-breakers. That seems to be the gist of several days of confusing messages on the NAFTA negotiations coming out of Ottawa. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia […]
Trade policy, negotiations to test Trudeau government’s mettle this year
TORONTO—Trade policy—and trade negotiations—will test the mettle and competence of the Trudeau government this year far beyond any big tests it has faced to date. The risks are high, with big implications for exports, the dollar, jobs and investment. How well, or badly, the Trudeau government handles the trade files could also determine the outcome […]
Open doors to a Canadian progressive trade strategy
OTTAWA—If Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne makes new year’s resolutions, he’s probably thinking work-wise of trying to find a new approach to implementing his progressive trade agenda. Decoupling this agenda from his trade negotiations strategy and focusing on other trading partners will open up new opportunities with better prospects for success. Canada successfully negotiated a progressive […]
