Canada, our long-ignored neighbor, is getting some well-deserved attention. President George W. Bush's trip is an attempt to patch up relations, after they were strained by Canada for not supporting the war in Iraq. Hopefully this trip will show that Canada can remain an ally of the United States without agreeing on all of its policies.
No one expected Bush to go to Ottawa and apologize for military actions in Iraq. But at least he voiced his respect for the Canadian peoples' opinions, which were overwhelmingly against the war in Iraq. The U.S. government needs to learn how to work with people of varying opinions a little better, and this was a good start. As previously argued on this page, a diversity of opinions forms the best ideas and policies.
Bush is wise to keep his initial foreign trips within the Americas, going to Canada on the heels of his trip to Chile last week. It shows that he is aware of a world outside of Iraq and the "war on terror." The trips to Chile and Canada stress the relations between American countries, particularly in the realm of free trade. But the United States needs to practice what it preaches when it lauds the benefits of free trade.
Bans on live cattle and tariffs on softwood lumber are dominating the economic side of the talks. Bush himself acknowledged that Canadian cattle should be allowed into the United States, and blamed bureaucracy for its stall. The problem, however, is more than just red tape. America wants to benefit from free trade pacts like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) without making the sacrifices needed. The World Trade Organization allowed sanctions a number of times in the past four years against U.S. exports because the United States has what it considers being unfair protectionist policies on a number of industries.
Canada is our largest trading partner, and should be held in the high regard it deserves. NAFTA rules must be maintained by allowing Canadian products across the border freely. Central and South American countries will have little desire to trust U.S. free trade agreements in the next decade if they continue to witness Congress hijack this one. Cut the red tape and cut protectionist policies, so everyone is on equal standing.
Right now, the United States can use all the friends it can get, especially in Iraq. Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin is considering sending aid to help with the Iraqi elections in January. If security allows, Canada's assistance will continue to repair relations with the United States. Martin must be careful, however, not to fall into the same trap as Tony Blair. He should be a skeptical ally, because Bush is surrounded by yes-men in his cabinet. A dissident voice is needed.
Hopefully, Bush will continue this healing trend with other countries, like France and Germany, using Canada as an example. Doing so will mend our standing in the world's eyes. It is the perfect project for the second-term for a president as formerly divisive as Bush. Let us hope he does not expend this newfound foreign goodwill as quickly as he did in 2001.
