Canada's Trade Standoff With the US: A Turning Point in a Moderate Nation's History
An opinion piece from the South China Morning Post reveals that Canada has entered into a trade conflict with its nearest neighbor, the United States. The author, who visited Canada in the early 1980s, reflects on the nation's historical tendency towards moderation and compromise, even when justified in resisting. Canadians have often viewed their much larger neighbor as a partner to accommodate rather than confront. With approximately 75% of its merchandise exports going to the US and a shared border stretching nearly 9,000 kilometers, Canada is intricately linked to American military and security through the North American Aerospace Defence Command. The article emphasizes that Canada's decision to confront the US marks a significant turning point.
Key facts
- Canada has been driven to a trade war with the United States
- Canada sends nearly three-quarters of its merchandise exports to the US
- Canada shares a border of nearly 9,000 kilometres with the US
- Canada is integrated with the US military and security apparatus through the North American Aerospace Defence Command
- The author was a visiting scholar in Canada in the early 1980s
- Canadians historically preferred compromise even when they had a right to push back
- The article describes Canada's choice to stand up to the US as a turning point
- The opinion piece was published by the South China Morning Post
Entities
Institutions
- South China Morning Post
- North American Aerospace Defence Command
Locations
- Canada
- United States