In The Know

What does Biden’s election mean for Canada – U.S. trade relations?

Canadians were for the most part relieved when our southern neighbours elected Joe Biden. Public opinion polls showed a vast majority preferred him to Donald Trump. This was driven by many factors, including the protectionist trade policies and rhetoric of the previous administration, the imposition of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum on dubious national security grounds, and the renegotiation of NAFTA

But what does Joe Biden’s election actually mean for trade relations between Canada and America, the two most integrated trading partners in the world? 

Sean Speer, The Hub’s editor at large, discusses with Clark Packard of the R Street Institute on a virtual panel for the Canada-Texas Chamber of Commerce hosted by Doug McCullough. 

While it is true that the Trump administration affected relations between the countries, Speer says, there has been a lack of urgency and a sense of complacency around the relationship for a while, and that long standing challenges still remain.

“There is a sense in Canada that some of the progress and the promise of the 90s and early 2000s has stalled…there’s a long sense of the need to reinvigorate the bi-national agenda setting, policymaking, and governmental cooperation.”

But while serious frictions still exist, such as the Keystone XL pipeline cancellation, ongoing softwood lumber disputes, and Biden’s upcoming supply chain security review, Packard is bullish on the relationship moving forward. He believes that the Biden administration will take the opportunity to pivot back and reaffirm relations moving forward. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh1o0xXcb2Y

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