Trade Policy Trends: Chinese Protectionism: Restriction on Canola Imports from Canada

On March 3, 2019, China revoked the import licence for canola from Richardson International Ltd. (a large Canadian processor of grain based in Winnipeg). Chinese officials have cited pests as the reason for their action. The licence revocation occurs amid a conflict between Canada and China over the arrest in Canada of Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou. Some see this as a retaliatory measure on the part of China, which has a history of using trade policy in political disputes

Canadian and American Views on Trade and Economic Dislocation

Public opinion on trade is often negative and subject to flux. Notably, the American public is divided when it comes to supporting trade. This is largely because they believe that trade is responsible for economic dislocation, in particular job losses and lower wages. This is even though economic evidence shows that trade has relatively little impact on these economic factors and is, all things considered, beneficial for countries that pursue it. Accordingly, American mass opinion towards trade follows trends in economic conditions such as the unemployment rate and median income. That is, when these economic measures of well-being worsen, so do American attitudes towards trade. Conversely, when they improve, so do attitudes towards trade. This provides evidence that Americans believe trade is responsible for economic dislocation. Public support for trade is stronger in Canada. This capstone seeks to determine if Canadians, like Americans, hold trade responsible for economic dislocation. To accomplish this, I outline and graphically illustrate Canadian and American opinions on international trade through time. Survey data from the Canadian Opinion Archive (CORA) and Gallup are used to accomplish this. These trends in opinion are compared to economic trends in both countries. Specifically, they are compared to the unemployment rate and median income through time. This methodology can indicate if opinion on trade in both countries follows the trends in these economic measures of well-being. If they do, it would suggest that Canadians believe trade is responsible for economic dislocation like Americans. I find that, like American public opinion, Canadian public opinion on trade fluctuates in line with economic conditions. When unemployment goes up and median income goes down, more Canadians begin to oppose trade. When unemployment goes down and median income goes up, more Canadians begin to support trade. This suggests that Canadians may hold trade responsible for economic dislocation, like the American public. With this approach, I hope to contribute to our understanding of Canadian public opinion on trade. No systematic academic work has been done that analyzes if Canadian favorability towards trade is due to the fact that Canadians do not blame trade for economic dislocation to the same extent as the American public. My findings provide evidence that Canadian favorability towards trade is by no means guaranteed. As such, Canadian policymakers should make a proactive case for free trade. In this regard, it is important that they take note of various argumentative strategies that can be used to sell trade to the public effectively. These strategies are explained in this capstone. I believe they can help Canadian policymakers sell trade to the public and help them to explain the economic effects of trade. This, in turn, can help Canada avoid isolationism that threatens gains made through trade

You say USMCA, or T-MEC and I say CUSMA: The New NAFTA – let’s call the whole thing ON

This briefing paper explains and analyzes the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).  To this end, it summarizes the contents of the agreement.  The paper also provides background and explains how it differs from the trade agreements that preceded it (including NAFTA).  We provide an analysis of what CUSMA means for Canada, with particular emphasis placed on Western Canada.        &nbsp

Trade Policy Trends: COVID-19, the Great Trade Collapse, and Canadian Trade Policy

COVID-19 led to a marked decline in global trade.  Canadian trade also dropped significantly.  This led commentators to compare the COVID-19 pandemic to the Great Trade Collapse of 2008.  This paper compares both crises and finds that Canada’s total trade (imports + exports) has almost entirely recovered since COVID-19 began.  In contrast, Canada took much longer to recover from the collapse caused by the Great Trade Collapse

Trade Policy Trends: CETA Ratification

This paper provides an outline of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU).  This includes outlining which European countries have ratified the deal and the relative size of Canada’s trade and investment relationships with all EU countries.&nbsp

ESPRAS Survey on Breast Reconstruction in Europe.

BACKGROUND  The European Leadership Forum (ELF) of the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS) previously identified the need for harmonisation of breast reconstruction standards in Europe, in order to strengthen the role of plastic surgeons. This study aims to survey the status, current trends and potential regional differences in the practice of breast reconstruction in Europe, with emphasis on equity and access. MATERIALS AND METHODS  A largescale web-based questionnaire was sent to consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeons, who are experienced in breast reconstruction and with understanding of the national situation in their country. Suitable participants were identified via the Executive Committee (ExCo) of ESPRAS and national delegates of ESPRAS. The results were evaluated and related to evidence-based literature. RESULTS  A total of 33 participants from 29 European countries participated in this study. Overall, the incidence of breast reconstruction was reported to be relatively low across Europe, comparable to other large geographic regions, such as North America. Equity of provision and access to breast reconstruction was distributed evenly within Europe, with geographic regions potentially affecting the type of reconstruction offered. Standard practices with regard to radiotherapy differed between countries and a clear demand for European guidelines on breast reconstruction was reported. CONCLUSION  This study identified distinct lack of consistency in international practice patterns across European countries and a strong demand for consistent European guidance. Large-scale and multi-centre European clinical trials are required to further elucidate the presented areas of interest and to define European standard operating procedures