The Humanist Cafe
Episode #328Discussion Forum Free* And Open To All!
Wednesday, January 8, 2024 – 7:00-8:30 pm
Cook Street Activity Center380 Cook St. (Cook St. Village), VictoriaFree parking and street parking
Please Use The Side Entrance
Purchase Coffee/Tea nearby at The Moka House – BYO mug!
Presenter: Vanessa Hammond **
Moderator: John Pope
Vanessa writes:
From the late 1960s I ran an export company focused on supply of Canadian goods and services to development projects (mainly in the education, health and transport sectors) financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), World Bank, Inter-American Development Agency, Red Cross etc.
For some reason I became Chair of the Canadian Export Association (CEA). Many CEA members were frustrated by the complications we faced in any transactions with USA companies. US colleagues were equally frustrated. Both governments were eager to make our lives simpler, less costly.
So the negotiations were started to create a Free Trade Agreement, probably the most amicable negotiations ever. Then came the addition of Mexico, equally straight-forward.
All of this is now being threatened by the future US President.
What US goods or services do you use? Why would you want the trade agreements preserved or demolished?
Background Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Free_Trade_Agreement
https://www.tdsecurities.com/ca/en/us-election-impacts-on-canadian-trade
** Vanessa was on the negotiating teams for The Canada-USA Trade Agreement, and the Canada-USA-Mexico Agreement. She will lead a discussion of the benefits of these agreements and the risks to be faced by Mr Trump’s threatened cancellation.
More Questions:
Do you believe Trump will follow through with the 25% tariff increase? Follow-up question: Do you think Trump is generally a reasonable person?
How will Canada respond to a 25% tariff increase from the US?
How should Canada respond to a 25% tariff increase from the US?
What other countries could Canada sell it’s oil and raw logs too?
Should Canada annex Washington State?
[Your question here?]
See you there! Bring a buddy.
* Donations gratefully accepted