Holding our own in USMCA deal

In the afterglow of the recently-consummated, tripartite trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, political pundits and economists will evaluate this trade agreement for many months, if not years; it will also provide journalists with endless copy.

That said, three (3) points should be emphasized. First, Canada did not cave. Having represented Canada’s largest union at the bargaining table for over 20 years, given the balance of forces, Canada, in my opinion, held its own against the behemoth to the south.

Second, I would liken the recent round of multi-lateral trade negotiations to a labour union negotiating in a so-called take away environment, where preventing “takeaways” (that is, established benefits) by an employer and maintaining the status quo is, in fact, something of a victory for the union.

Given the balance of forces, a stalemate is, at times, a victory.

There is an old industrial relations adage that, depending on circumstance, “A good collective agreement is one which everyone is unhappy with.” Heady rhetoric comes cheap.

Third, if recent various media clips of Trudeau and Freeland’s happy demeanour is any indication, I’m prepared to bet in bottles that the federal Liberals will call an election in the near future while everyone is still basking in the warm, fuzzy feeling that Canada has stood up to the American bullies.

Richard Deaton,

Stanley Bridge