Assessments

Canada Goes Toe-to-Toe With U.S. Trade Policy

Jan 10, 2018 | 22:22 GMT

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks during a press conference at the conclusion of the fourth round of negotiations for a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2017. Canada's trade case against U.S. trade remedy measures in the World Trade Organization will be at the forefront of global pushback against Washington's protectionist trade agenda. The United States won't take Canada's filling lightly, continuing to pressure it in NAFTA negotiations and stonewall appointments to the WTO tribunal that hears appeals in WTO cases.

(ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Canada has taken a shot at the United States in the World Trade Organization. According to WTO documents circulated Jan. 10, Canada opened a case Dec. 20 against the United States' "systemic trade remedies measures." The United States has launched several trade remedy measures against Canada since U.S. President Donald Trump's administration took office and continues to exert pressure on Canada in negotiations to amend the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In Stratfor's 2018 Annual Forecast, we wrote that the United States would continue to push its aggressive trade agenda while trying to increase its power in decision making on international trade enforcement. Though this forecast holds, Canada's pushback will make the United States' task more difficult. ...