I have always had an on-again/off-again relationship with Mr. Coyne’s writings. When he sits down and thinks an issue through its logical consequences, he can be incredibly insightful and make some really good points. Then there are the times when he misses the point of what something is because it
Continue readingTag: free trade
Babel-on-the-Bay: An autopsy or a resuscitation?
An interesting question was raised in the Toronto Star the other day. There was an opinion piece by Bob Hepburn proposing a national commission on the reconstruction of the Canadian economy. This suggestion was based on some thinking by Greg Sorbara, a former Ontario treasurer, and Michael Mendelson, former Ontario
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: On Free Trade
Even among left wing parties and progressive politicians trade is worshipped as the saviour of the world, but perhaps we should ask ourselves Is Trade Evil ? After we do that we can consider the question of free trade and free trade agreements. We need to seriously look at the
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Mexico Bumps Canada as America’s Largest Trading Partner
Despite all of Donald Trump’s bluster about Mexico and its people, America’s southern neighbour has become its largest trading partner. U.S. census data released last week showed that Mexico’s trade with the United States rose to $97.4 billion for the first two months of the year — enabling it to
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Is there life after NAFTA?
Like all sensible folk I was myself opposed to the NAFTA at the outset, convinced that it did more for the corporations than for the rest of us. I’m still of that view. Is it possible that the biggest change that is now taking place is in the name
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Imagine a World Where Every Leader Was a Variation of Donald Trump
Donald Trump likes to pretend he’s shaking everything up. In fact he’s tearing everything down and what he can’t tear down his instinct is to bog it down. You could say that he’s the first poster boy for the Age of Entropy. Yesterday I reviewed an article by political scientist
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Now That You Mention It…
Earlier this month the European Court of Justice issued a ruling that ISDS or Investor-State Dispute provisions in a trade deal between the Netherlands and Slovakia were contrary to European law. It seems that the ECJ found the secret court system invalid. The ruling is expected to call into question
Continue readingCuriosityCat: Trudeau’s Government is screwing up the Trump Steel Tariff issue
And why is this happening? Because the Canadian government has not done its homework. It has been obvious for more than 18 months that a Trump presidency would pose special problems for the small Canadian economy, but you would never have guessed this from the activities and statements of the
Continue readingMichal Rozworski: The problems with progressive free trade and a divided labour movement
…And we’re back to regularly-scheduled programming. Apologies for the podcasting hiatus to (now really faithful) listeners; I hope to be back to regular episodes once again. I’m restarting the show this week with two great guests. First up, I speak with Angella MacEwen about the on-going NAFTA re-negotiations and whether
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Trudeau’s Trade Fetish
One line from Vice news sums it up perfectly, “Justin Trudeau is one of the few world leaders still trumpeting the pre-2016 dream that everything will be hunky dory in the mad world of global politics if we can strike up a few more free trade deals.” Vice columnist Drew
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: NAFTA and Labour Rights
I recently spoke at the Standing Committee on International Trade on their study “Priorities of Canadian Stakeholders having an interest in Bilateral and Trilateral trade in North America, between Canada, United States and Mexico”. I share my notes with you here, although I did ad-lib a bit in the actual
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Freeland Admits: U.S. Withdrawal Effectively Kills TPP Trade Deal
This week, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland admitted that the United States’ withdrawal from Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) effectively kills the mega trade deal. The post Freeland Admits: U.S. Withdrawal Effectively Kills TPP Trade Deal appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: NAFTA: Suddenly, Everything’s on the Table
For years, we’ve been told the dictates of globalization, and the intrusive and prescriptive terms of free trade agreements in particular, are immutable, natural, and unquestionable. (Read more…)When workers were displaced by the migration of multinational capital toward more profitable jurisdictions, we were told there’s nothing we can do about
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Stop Trump copy-cats: Listen to workers
I presented at the Standing Committee on International Trade’s incredibly brief review of the implementing legislation for CETA. With me were representatives from the Business Council of Canada, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Cattleman’s Association. There are only two more meetings scheduled, and there are no IP experts,
Continue readingkirbycairo: So-called "Free Trade" and the Presidential Election. . .
Trade is one of the stranger political issues in recent years. For more than two decades now the left has been saying that the trade deals (even going back before the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations), are not really “free-trade” deals at all, but are rather ‘corporate rights’ deals that
Continue readingkirbycairo: So-called "Free Trade" and the Presidential Election. . .
Trade is one of the stranger political issues in recent years. For more than two decades now the left has been saying that the trade deals (even going back before the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations), are not really “free-trade” deals at all, but are rather ‘corporate rights’ deals that
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Art Of The Deal: A Guest Post By John B.
In response to yesterday’s post about free trade, John B. provided a detailed commentary that derves a separate posting. Below is what he wrote: Are any Canadians asking? I find the current tap dance we are witnessing reminiscent of the public displays of angst and pretense of desperation by Mulroney
Continue readingBabel-on-the-Bay: CETA: The devil is in the details.
Tried the other day to reread the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and finally gave up in disgust. Maybe this deal between Canada and the European Union is just too comprehensive for this non-trade expert to comprehend. And when you find the mainly French-speaking Wallonia area of Belgium is the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Free Trade Is Never Free
While it is beginning to look like International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland’s departure from CETA negotiations was more of a ploy than the end of talks, the hiatus at least gives Canadians the opportunity to once more reflect on its dangers, the same dangers that afflict other so-called free trade
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: This Is Good News
I’ll have more to say about this in the future, but for now, some good news for those who oppose free trade deals that sacrifice national sovereignty and jobs so corporations can be further enriched: Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland has walked out of negotiations to salvage a major trade
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