Obama breaks free trade agreement a second time, Canada thoroughly pissed!

[Joelcool7]

HappySqurriel said:

Joelcool7 said:

naznatips said:

Very stupid indeed, but it's sort of silly for people to suggest Canada can just ditch US trade. 70% of your exports go to us, and there is no way you're just going to be able to make that up on other countries. Both will need to work something out. 

Also, protectionism did indeed contribute a lot to the Great Depression, and this is easily the dumbest thing Obama has done in office (he has done some pretty good things too, mind you). 

Yah keep in mind it was the NDP that tabled the motion in 2009, not the ruling party and at the time they weren't even the official opposition. I think the move was supposed to send America a message but obviously Obama wasn't paying attention. Note that our Prime Minister hasn't suggested anything like this.

However the threat should still be seen as serious, since the NDP is now the official opposition in Canada. Canada hasn't been improving trade with China and such in favor of US trade for awhile now. Sure Canada couldn't completely ditch the United States but if we shifted trade deals and focused more on Asia and Europe the US would suffer greatly. Canadian trade could slowly diminish and that would only hurt America.

The question is if the NDP get elected as Government next election would they follow through on Jack Layton's threat? Obama should be concerned at the fact that his biggest trading partners Government is even thinking these kids of things. Honestly I hope Obama comes to his senses and removes the protectionist measures from his bill before it hurts trade relations any more!

Not to be rude, but isn't that kind-of like asking "If ponies grew wings would airplanes become obsolete?"

The strategy the NDP are currently following (appease Quebec at all costs to maintain your electoral gains) is incompatible with forming a government; especially when the parliament is finally expanding to reflect that growth in this country has occurred primarily west of Quebec.

Your completely correct, Conservatives at the moment have the country in their back pocket with the exception of Quebec. Thing is you never know if that will change by the next election. I mean the Liberals had the country completely under their control prior to Paul Martin, the NDP being the official opposition could always turn things around. Though I agree on their present course (Kissing Quebec butt) they won't rule the country. But like I said things can change alot can happen in a few years, also alot of those who voted Conservative are actually former Liberal's and NDP to begin with. If the NDP were to win over those former NDP and Liberals they could potentially challenge Conservative control.

GuiltySpartan77 said:
No offense to Canada but why the hell would the United states sign something where they have to let foreign country's trade and sell stuff as if they were an American business? Sorry i just don't see the point.

Same can be said for Canada, why should we have to let America trade and sell stuff in Canada as if they were a Canadian business? If we stopped the US would be harmed more then Canada, despite America buying 70% of our exports Canada imports more American products then it exports.

The simple reason is jobs and money. If the US can't sell products in Canada who are they going to sell them too? Judging by your statement you don't understand the basics of trade. The US benefits a ton from selling products in Canada and having Canadian products sold in Americ

Read the other replies and you'll see how important Canada is to the United States, that is why Canadian businesses deserve the same treatment as American ones. Not to mention it doesn't even matter why the US signed NAFTA fact is they did, you can't just go around breaking your agreements.