Canada -U.S. RelationsThe good, the bad and the ugly

Canada-U.S. RelationsThe good, the bad and the uglySukumar PeriwalCanada-US Fulbright Visiting Chair, Canadian Studies Center, University of WashingtonPresentation at Western Oregon UniversityNovember 8, 2006The ugly firstPATRICK BUCHANAN (former U.S. presidential candidate)“For most Americans, Canada is sort of like a case of latent arthritis. We really don’t think about it unless it acts up.” (1992)“Soviet Canuckistan.”	(2002)The repeated canard (not true, by the way)“Canada is a favoured destination for terrorists and international criminals.” (Library of Congress research report 2004)“Far more of the 9/11 terrorists came across from Canada than from Mexico.” (former U.S. Speaker Newt Gingrich, April 2005 – later retracted and apologized).“We’ve got to remember that the people who first hit us on 9/11 entered this country through Canada.” (then U.S. Senator Conrad Burns, December 2005 – later said he ‘misspoke’).The ugly continuedFRANÇOISE DUCROS (former communications director to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien)“What a moron.” (about President Bush, 2002)PM Chrétien: The President “is a friend of mine. He’s not a moron at all.”Ducros resigned shortly after.More uglinessCAROLYN PARRISH (Liberal Member of Parliament 1993-2006)“Damn Americans. I hate the bastards.” (overheard after invasion of Iraq, 2003)“We are not going to join a coalition of the idiots.” (2004)UgliestCarolyn Parrish MP performing ‘voodoo’ on the head of a doll of President Bush “where it would do least damage”. (2004)Will it ever stop?Canada can take care of North Korea. They’re not busy.” (TV ad run by Republican U.S. Senate campaign in Tennessee, October 2006)FACT: 45 Canadian casualties in Afghanistan since more than 2000 troops deployed in 2002; 37 deaths in 2006 alone)Why so much misunderstanding?Global contextPolicy differencesTrade disputesDivergent valuesGlobal contextConcerns about U.S. approach to global securityInvasion of Iraq as distraction from war on terror’s main fronts (Afghanistan, rolling back terrorist networks, securing homeland)Dismissive of concerns expressed by other countries about consequences of Iraq invasionNew national security doctrine permitting unilateral preemptive actionPolicy differencesCanadian commitment to multilateralism in foreign policy vs. recent US unilateralismKyoto Protocol and international cooperation on climate changeLandmines treatyInternational Criminal CourtUN reformWestern Hemisphere Travel InitiativeFocus on WTO vs bilateral free trade agreementsTrade disputesSoftwood lumber (2001-2006)Largest trade dispute in the worldHuge issue in Canada but barely noticed in U.S.Canadian resentment at U.S. not abiding by NAFTA dispute resolution panelsRestrictions on Canadian cattle exports after discovery of BSEChallenges to Canadian wheat board and supply management bodies while increasing US agricultural subsidiesDivergent valuesSame sex marriageAbortion and contraceptionGunsCapital punishmentPublic provision of health careDecriminalization of marijuanaLevels of military spendingAnd yet best friends“The United States is our best friend and largest trading partner” – 2006 Throne Speech of Canada’s new Conservative governmentWhat we have in commonShared history and valuesShared geographyEconomic and infrastructure interdependenceShared institutionsShared history and valuesHistorical friendship and commitment to mutual security (e.g. fighting together in World Wars I and II, Korea, Cold War deployments, Afghanistan)Close allies on international stage (UN, NATO, WTO)Shared values: democracy, free markets, rule of law, civil libertiesShared geography9,000 km long border – and shared commitment to cross-border law enforcement and intelligence cooperationShared environmentAirsheds (and air pollution)Watersheds (Great Lakes, rivers, ocean)Migratory speciesEconomic interdependenceCritical infrastructure interdependence (pipelines, electricity grid, roads, rail)$680 billion in annual two way trade, growing at 6% per year; both countries are each other’s biggest trading partnersCanada is #1 market for 38 U.S. statesIntegrated markets in energy and agricultureIntra-firm trade and regional business clustersShared institutions300+ treaties and many other arrangements at all levels of government and private sectorInternational Joint CommissionNORAD and other long-standing defense tiesRegional cooperationWestern Premiers – Western Governors AssociationAtlantic Premiers – New England GovernorsBilateral cooperation: BC-Washington, Ontario-Michigan, Québec-New YorkMultilateral organizations: Pacific North West Economic RegionConclusionCanada and the U.S. are lucky to have each other for neighborsWe have much more in common than we realize – disputes always get more attentionHuge amount of cooperation at all levels of government and private sectorGlobal: war on terrorNorth America: Security and Prosperity PartnershipRegional: bilateral and multilateral connections (e.g. PNWER)Business: North American economic ties, alliances, mergers, cross-border intra-firm tradeCivil society: university research, non-governmental organizations and foundationsMuch room for future synergy – Canadian energy, U.S. investment, need to work together in new global context to strengthen security and increase North American competitiveness