Trading with the Americans

[ahaugen]

Today in class we talked about how we as a country are trying to trade with a wider selection of different instead of mainly the USA. We have abviously realized how important this is for our economy if something were to happen and the USA decided to close the borders, so why is it taking so long to do? I don't think we should tkae our sweet time on this because we never know when we might do something to upset the Americans. Having our border closed to the country who has 75% of our trade would definately hurt our economy, so why should we let them have that power over us? Yes these things take time, but I'm sure they could do something to hurry it along!

[smortensen]

I agree with you amy! i personally dont think the Americans are that trustworthy to us, though im sure that they think the same of us not going to war witht them after 9/11.
When mad cow happened and they just shut their borders to us (Some allies we are!) it was a major crisis with cattle ranchers and farmers.. if we had trade opened with other countries then it wouldnt be as big of an issue. They really took their anger out on us for not going to war with them immaturely, i think. They took way to drastic of measures. to avoid it happening again i think we should probably start trading with other countrys and not rely on the USA so much.

[Mr. Delainey]

Canadian politicians have been wrestling with this very issue since the 1950s. How can we maintain our independence of the Americans yet continue to trade extensively with them?

I remember reading an account of Prime Minister Pearson visiting the White House. Pearson was critical of the American involvement in Vietnam and he said as much during a speech. President L. B. Johnson took Pearson into the Oval Office and chewed out Pearson for "peeing on my rug". Johnson said Pearson should not have been critical of the Americans in Vietnam.

So, yeah, it is difficult to both be friends/trading partners and too politely disagree on matters of both internal and external policy. I think you're both right: Canada's general interests would be better served if we were to diversify in our trading partners.

[ahaugen]

We just really need to fix this situation! It's not doing any good for us, just the americans are benefiting.