Canada is now at a very important crossroads.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pursuing a much closer relationship with Europe, following the European Commission’s proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member.” But Canadians must ask a fundamental question: what is the economic cost and what is the practical benefit to the Canadian citizen?
Canada cannot ignore geography. Roughly 72% of its goods exports go to the United States. That is an enormous economic relationship involving Canadian businesses, workers and families.
Diversifying trade is sensible. Building stronger relationships with Europe, Asia and other markets is also sensible. But diversification should not become a substitute for protecting Canada’s most important existing economic relationship.
Carney is a former central banker and former Governor of the Bank of Canada. Canadians therefore have every right to expect his experience in economics and finance to be applied with the discipline of a statesman, putting Canada’s economic stability and the welfare of Canadians ahead of political personalities.
Canada should talk to Washington, Brussels, Beijing and everyone else. But diplomacy should be about negotiating Canada’s interests, not about proving a political point.
The same principle applies to Donald Trump. Whatever one’s opinion of his style or policies, the United States remains Canada’s overwhelmingly largest export market.
A prime minister’s responsibility is not to win arguments with other leaders. It is to create the conditions in which his country’s citizens can prosper.
Canada should diversify, but it should not gamble.
Canada should negotiate, but it should not antagonize.
And above all, Canada’s foreign policy must serve Canadians first.
Gordon Laughlin
