Expansion & Regulation of Free Trade (Perspectives: 218-221, 229-234) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Who and What

Between Canada and the United states, the free trade agreement removed most reminding tariffs. Why Because the wanted access to the united States vast markets and the united states wanted access to Canadas resources. Included/Not Included Large Us market, but did not include cultural markets as well as health care and education. Controversy The council of Canadians opposed this agreement because they thought it would undermine Canadas sovereignty and Canada would eventually lose its independence from the America. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Basically extended the provisions of the FTA to include Mexico. Mexican imports to Canada jumped 200 % in ten years after the agreement. Canada, Japan and Mexico are the United States largest trading partners.

Voices FOR and AGAINST the NAFTA Council of Canadians For or Against? Arguments (at least 3): -

International Trade Canada For or Against? Arguments (at least 3):

International Agreements and Organizations World Trade Organization (WTO) What is it? An organization that works to improve trade relations among the countries of the world. What is its purpose? To remove tariffs and other barriers to trade. Settle trade disputes and organize trade negotiations and meetings. How does it work? Trade disputes are special tribunals of trade experts and lawyers. And those people decide which country is wrong and what they must do to meet world trade organization regulations.

Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement What happened? In 2001, the United States imposed a tariff on softwood lumber from Canada. How/why was it damaging to Canada? Large lumber exporting provinces were hit by the tariff. A 10% duty was imposed on softwood trade. How was the dispute resolved? Canada appealed to the claim because it had long maintained a lumber trade with the united states and this was unfairly subsidized by the government. The United states had to refund 80% of the 5billion dollars it had collected.

The Group of Eight (G8) What is it? An informal group of the eight major industrial democracies. Who are the eight? Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Russia, The United Kingdom, Italy and the United states. How does it work? It influences official global institutions. What supporters say That the G8 had been instrumental in aiding less developed countries, What critics say The G8 represents the interests of an elite group of more developed countries and does not consider the needs of the rest of the world.

La Francophonie Role: To protect and promote the culture of French-speaking peoples and to enhance the economic development of countries with French speaking citizens. Canadas goals: The Canadian government would like particularly to accelerate the economic integration of the least developed francophone countries into the international trading system. Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) The CIDA is the government agency responsible for administering foreign aid programs in less developed counties. CIDAs mandate (purpose)

How does it work?