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Thursday, December 11, 2008
Stockwell Day returns from Panama high on trade
Since I wrote about the departure of International Trade Minister Stockwell Day to Panama for the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas ministerial meeting, I thought I should report also on his return, just in case anyone is looking for closure here.
Day yesterday concluded a two-day visit to Panama City during which he met with his counterparts from the Central and South American countries that are part of this trade association. There's not much to report here accept the strong and welcomed statement from Day that Canada is open for business:
“In this period of global economic uncertainty, it is important to keep markets open, resist protectionist pressures, engage trading partners and provide opportunities for Canadian businesses to prosper both at home and in international markets,” said Day. “Canada recognizes Panama’s importance as a dynamic, open economy and as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. The meetings I had here allowed me to reinforce Canada’s commitment to build stronger commercial relations in the region.”
The partner countries in the Pathways to Prosperity trade association agreed to a plan of action to be undertaken by all participating countries to advance the common objectives of trade and investment liberalization, development, rule of law and democracy.
No word yet on whether or not President-elect Obama will end the embargo against Cuba.
Posted by Matthew Johnston on December 11, 2008 in Trade | Permalink
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Comments
“In this period of (government induced)global economic uncertainty, it is important to keep markets open(no one closed them), resist protectionist pressures(as evidenced where?), engage trading partners and provide opportunities (not the governments job)for Canadian businesses to prosper(how about lowering taxes instead?) both at home and in international markets,” said Day. “Canada recognizes Panama’s importance as a dynamic, (tropical junket)open economy and as a gateway to (more control)Latin America and the Caribbean. The meetings I had here allowed me to (hit some Latin talent;) reinforce Canada’s (Ottawa's) commitment to build stronger commercial relations (with other politicos)in the region.”
Oh thank you Great, good and benevolent government for meddling once again the very concept of free enterprise and free trade.
As if we don't own a map...
Posted by: JC | 2008-12-11 1:34:07 PM
I don't think it's fair to say no one closed the markets so it isn't important to reaffirm that they'll stay open. Everybody's scared that everyone else is going to cut off trade through protectionism. Even if Pathways was just a love-fest of free traders, everyone wants to keep hunting the deer but is scared that someone will go after the rabbit instead...
Read more at Read more at The Hegemonist
Posted by: TH | 2008-12-11 6:42:40 PM
TH: Great comment.
Posted by: dewp | 2008-12-11 9:32:58 PM
I don't think it's fair to say no one closed the markets so it isn't important to reaffirm that they'll stay open. Everybody's scared that everyone else is going to cut off trade through protectionism.
Posted by: TH | 11-Dec-08 6:42:40 PM
Fair enough TH. Its only my opinion and I'm aware that I can be a bit hard core. I still don't believe that it is the job of government to secure business opportunities that private business should be allowed to secure for themselves. If the Government truly believed in free trade they would stop meddling in it.
Historically though, there approach has been one of control of "free" trade to ensure they get their (unearned) piece of the pie.
Posted by: JC | 2008-12-12 7:17:14 AM
It is no accident the meeting was held in Panama. As things heat up up North, this little country is becoming the political and logistics hub for trade between the Americas. Projects like the new Panama Pacific trade zone in the former Howard Military Base and the Panama International Merchandise Mart are on schedule to open in the next years. They will compliment the existing Colon Free Zone, the largest in the world after Hong Kong.
Latin America is in a period of relative stability and is tired of being ignored...
Posted by: Dennis Smith | 2008-12-12 7:54:29 AM
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