During an August 9 and 10 summit in Guadalajara, North American leaders forged consensus on issues ranging from climate-change policy to security, writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper travels to Mexico and Panama in the coming days. Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin writes about the probable inking of a trade deal during the prime minister's Panama visit as well as the successful conclusion of Ottawa's trade deal with Peru.
On August 9 and 10 Mexican President Felipe Calderón hosts the North American Leaders’ Summit in Guadalajara. Talks are expected to focus on economic recovery, trade, and security. The North American Competitiveness Council recommends solutions to policymakers’ concerns about security, protectionism, and climate change.
The leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States met August 9 and 10 for the first North American Leader’s Summit since President Barack Obama took office. Trade, climate change, migration, and security dominated talks and leaders voiced their commitment to a resolution to the Honduran crisis.
A free trade deal that adds Peru to Canada's Latin American trade network came into effect August 1. The agreement eliminates tariffs on more than 95 percent of goods and eases Canadian access to several sectors of Peru’s economy.
Speaking at the 2009 Latin American Cities Conference in Santiago, Canadian Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty emphasized the importance of inter-American cooperation for economic recovery and said that the success of Ottowa's free trade agreement with Chile demonstrates Canada's increasing ties with the region.
A Canadia-Colombia free trade deal awaits parliamentary approval in Ottawa. Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin writes that, despite resistance among some members of Parliament, "Colombia needs a helping hand—not a cold shoulder."
