We’re just suckers for a good time
When are we going to admit that Canada’s trade negotiators have been sold a bill of goods? In describing Canadians in a fishly sense, they are suckers for a good line.
In the Uruguay trade negotiations much was made by the United States of the need for free world trade. All you exporters from smaller countries should get rid of your trade barriers and price supports and become real he-men like us free traders.
So we did. And we found ourselves trotting around doing the tango all by ourselves.
Read Also
Agriculture needs to prepare for government spending cuts
As government makes necessary cuts to spending, what can be reduced or restructured in the budgets for agriculture?
There were elements in the U.S. who were convinced of the need for private enterprise and free trade. So much so, that “liberal” became a dirty word with them, carrying all kinds of socialistic connotations.
But when farm states discovered free trade meant they couldn’t compete with Canada, Australia and Argentina, suddenly the rhetoric about open borders became couched with suggestions that maybe those exporters have some hidden devices for gaining an unfair advantage.
In each case the only advantage lies in discounted currency. As long as the Canadian dollar sits at 67 cents U.S., the Australian dollar close to the same level and the Argentinean peso somewhat less, grain farmers in those countries will have an export price advantage.
The U.S. has a long history of supports for its agriculture. Billions continue to be spent in this area and the farm states are lobbying for protection from “predatory” Canadians.
Spouting free trade ideology is one thing. Practising what you preach doesn’t seem to come so easily.
We tried practising what Americans preach.
Since it doesn’t work for them or us, what’s the next move?
