Team Canada
Ever since Jean ChrŽtien took office he has pushed the cause of expanded international trade and has fostered what he calls the “Team Canada” approach.
This involves sending the prime minister, as many premiers as can be assembled and trade development ministers and officials to various countries way out there to draw up agreements involving billions in two-way trade. Canadian companies that will be selling into these markets find these glitzy photo-opportunity occasions to be good door-openers, so they’re glad to have the politicians along.
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The next big extravaganza, I hear, will be in Argentina in January. I think wives of the politicians will want to go along, because what could sound more attractive than Buenos Aires in January? Undoubtedly there will be a fiesta where they can exchange the chicken dance with the Argentineans for the samba and then both do the macarena.
Since Argentina grows wheat and produces cattle it should be an attractive market for Prairie manufacturers who turn out equipment to serve those lines of production. Actually, many Argentinean farmers are quite familiar with Canadian operations, having visited this country to look at equipment, seed stock and livestock breeds.
Trade would have taken place even if the little guy from Shawinigan had stayed in Shawinigan. But trade across international borders can get quite complicated unless officials involved have been shown it is to the advantage of their constituents.
It’s amazing sometimes what good can come from allowing elected officials to strut their stuff in front of television and press cameras.
