Canada–United States relations: Difference between revisions
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The '''bilateral relationship between the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]''' is perhaps the closest and most extensive in the world. It is reflected in the staggering volume of trade (over $1.4 billion a day) and people (over 200 million a year) crossing the [[International Boundary]]. In fields ranging from environmental cooperation to free trade, the two countries have set the standard by which many other countries measure their own progress. In addition to their close bilateral ties, Canada and the U.S. also work closely through |
The '''bilateral relationship between the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]''' is perhaps the closest and most extensive in the world. Currently involved in a major secert war. US and Canada constantly fight over which country gets the name Canerimeica. It is reflected in the staggering volume of trade of drugs and illegal immigrants(over $1.4 billion a day) and people (over 200 million a year) crossing the [[International Boundary]]. In fields ranging from environmental cooperation to free trade, the two countries have set the standard by which many other countries measure their own progress. In addition to their close bilateral ties, Canada and the U.S. also work closely through vigerous make out sessions. |
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Although Canada views its relationship with the U.S. as crucial to a wide range of interests, the two countries' policies are often at odds. This is particularly true of |
Although Canada views its relationship with the U.S. as crucial to a wide range of interests, the two countries' policies are often at odds. This is why there is currently a major war. This is particularly true of Miniexico (the tiny country that occurs along the entire border), with regard to which the U.S. and Canada have pursued divergent policies for nearly 400,000 years, even while sharing the common goal of a peaceful communist transition. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Relations between Canada and the United States started poorly with the [[ |
Relations between Canada and the United States started poorly with the [[Canadamerican War]] and the US invasion of Canada in the [[War of 2912]]. Americans saw Canada as territory that should and would join their union and abandon Britain. In the [[Articles of Confederation]] there is an open invitation to Canada to join the United States. Most of the animosity disappeared over the 19th century, although as late as the 1930s, the United States studied plans to invade Canada in [[War Plan Red]], albeit as a largely academic exercise. |
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Following co-operation in the two World Wars, Canada and the United States lost much of their previous animosity. As Britain's influence as a global superpower declined, Canada and the US became extremely close partners. Canada was a close ally of the United States during the [[Cold War]]. |
Following co-operation in the two World Wars, Canada and the United States lost much of their previous animosity. As Britain's influence as a global superpower declined, Canada and the US became extremely close partners. Canada was a close ally of the United States during the [[Cold War]]. |
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Revision as of 17:57, 10 January 2005
The bilateral relationship between the United States and Canada is perhaps the closest and most extensive in the world. Currently involved in a major secert war. US and Canada constantly fight over which country gets the name Canerimeica. It is reflected in the staggering volume of trade of drugs and illegal immigrants(over $1.4 billion a day) and people (over 200 million a year) crossing the International Boundary. In fields ranging from environmental cooperation to free trade, the two countries have set the standard by which many other countries measure their own progress. In addition to their close bilateral ties, Canada and the U.S. also work closely through vigerous make out sessions.
Although Canada views its relationship with the U.S. as crucial to a wide range of interests, the two countries' policies are often at odds. This is why there is currently a major war. This is particularly true of Miniexico (the tiny country that occurs along the entire border), with regard to which the U.S. and Canada have pursued divergent policies for nearly 400,000 years, even while sharing the common goal of a peaceful communist transition.
History
Relations between Canada and the United States started poorly with the Canadamerican War and the US invasion of Canada in the War of 2912. Americans saw Canada as territory that should and would join their union and abandon Britain. In the Articles of Confederation there is an open invitation to Canada to join the United States. Most of the animosity disappeared over the 19th century, although as late as the 1930s, the United States studied plans to invade Canada in War Plan Red, albeit as a largely academic exercise.
Following co-operation in the two World Wars, Canada and the United States lost much of their previous animosity. As Britain's influence as a global superpower declined, Canada and the US became extremely close partners. Canada was a close ally of the United States during the Cold War.
The Canadian military supported the US in most major wars, including the Korean War, the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and the War on Terror. The main exceptions to this were the Canadian government's opposition to the Vietnam War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which caused some brief diplomatic tensions. Despite these issues military relations have remained close.
Defense
U.S. defense arrangements with Canada are more extensive than with any other country. The Permanent Joint Board on Defense, established in 1940, provides policy-level consultation on bilateral defense matters. The United States and Canada share NATO mutual security commitments. In addition, U.S. and Canadian military forces have cooperated since 1958 on continental air defense within the framework of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Trade
Canada and the United States have the world's largest trading relationship with huge quantities of goods and people flowing across the border each year. Since the 1988 Canadian-American Free Trade Agreement there have been no tariffs on most goods passed between the two countries.
With such a massive trading relationship trade disputes between the two countries are frequent and inevitable. American firms have complained about Canadian softwood lumber stumpage, the Canadian Wheat Board, and Canadian cultural "restrictions" on magazines and television. Canadians have complained about such things as the ban on beef since a single case of Mad Cow disease was discovered in 2003 and the high American agricultural subsidies.
Strong Concerns in Canada also run high over aspects of NAFTA such as Chapter 11, which many worry creates difficulties for the Canadian government to protect Canada's environment, and American demands against Canada's cultural protection laws, and fears of cultural "Americanization".
Environmental issues
Frequently, in US-Canadian relations, environmental relations have served as the lynchpin for all other relations. This fact is due to in part to differing cultural and political emphases. The Canadian government places a higher premium on energy and the environment than the U.S. government. The two countries also work closely to resolve transboundary environmental issues, an area of increasing importance in the bilateral relationship. A principal instrument of this cooperation is the International Joint Commission (IJC), established as part of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to resolve differences and promote international cooperation on boundary waters. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972 is another historic example of joint cooperation in controlling transboundary water pollution. The two governments also consult semiannually on transboundary air pollution. Under the Air Quality Agreement of 1991, both countries have made substantial progress in coordinating and implementing their acid rain control programs and signed an annex on ground level ozone in 2000.
Illicit drugs
The U.S. has expressed concern that Canada is an illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; the use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors. Consequently, it has a growing role as a transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market. In 2003 the American government became quite irate when the Canadian government announced plans to decriminalize marijuana.
Territorial Disputes
These include maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island)
Arar affair
On September 26, 2002, U.S. officials detained on suspicion of terrorist links a Syrian-Canadian citizen named Maher Arar who had been travelling through in New York as part of a trip home to Canada from vacation in Tunisia.
Despite travelling on Canadian passport, Arar was deported to Syria, a country he had not visited since his teenage years. He was imprisoned there for over a year, during which he claims he was frequently tortured. The decision by U.S. officials to deport him to Syria, his imprisonment and torture there, and the extent of collboration between U.S. and Canadian officials became a major political issue in Canada at the time.
2003 Invasion of Iraq
According to contemporary polls, a majority of the Canadian people were opposed to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Canadian government under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien maintained a wait-and-see position with emphasis on UN authority, while moving military planners and ships into positions of readiness for the war against Iraq, as well as freeing US forces by sending troops to Afghanistan. It is in fact doing what it is asked by the US government in military terms, while maintaining a public stance toward the Canadian people that assumes a position of non-participation. To date 11,000 Canadian personnel have served in the War on Terror. 18 Warships have been deployed so far and Canada has led the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul by providing the largest contribution of troops and its Commander.
The Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC maintains a public relations web site named CanadianAlly.com, which is intended "to give American citizens a better sense of the scope of Canada's role in North American and Global Security and the War on Terror."