The Perfect (Anti-Trade) Storm? Recession, the November U.S. Elections, and What It All Means for Canada

In this briefing, author Marc L. Busch looks at the trade implications for Canada of the 2008 U.S. elections, which saw the coming to office of President Barack Obama and the Democrats’ sizable gains in the 111th Congress. While observers were quick to argue that the election would result in significant changes in U.S. policy at home and abroad, few—if any—suggested that it would be good for international trade. The financial crisis and recession in the U.S. have only compounded the problem. This briefing warns that Ottawa needs to take a different tack when it comes to marketing Canada–U.S. trade in Washington.