• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

U.S. Senator John McCain Seeks Stronger NAFTA Ties With Canada

Posted on: Friday, 20 June 2008, 15:00 CDT

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA - U.S. Senator John McCain is calling for stronger NAFTA ties, including harmonized Canada-U.S. energy policies.

The Republican presidential candidate says the free-trade deal has contributed to stronger growth and employment in both countries, but there's room for improvement, such as border-crossing procedures.

"There is still more work to do," he says in the text of a speech prepared for delivery at the Economic Club of Canada.

"Complying with NAFTA's rules of origin can be cumbersome and costly. Border delays can pose a serious impediment to trade, the equivalent of a tariff."

Closer energy ties would also benefit both countries, he added.

"We stand much to gain by harmonizing our energy policies, just as have gained by co-operating in trade through NAFTA ."

Appearing at a sold-out luncheon, he portrayed his Democratic opponent, Senator Barack Obama as a protectionist.

Obama has suggested that the trade agreement has cost American jobs and needs to be reopened.

McCain once again staked out his position as a free-trader.

"For all the successes of NAFTA, we have to defend it without equivocation in political debate, because it is critical to the future of so many Canadian and American workers and businesses," he says.

"Demanding unilateral changes and threatening to abrogate an agreement that has increased trade and prosperity is nothing more than retreating behind protectionist walls."

McCain also said he wants to fight global warming with a cap-and-trade system to curb greenhouse-gas emissions.

"Here, too, Canada and America can work in common purpose against common dangers."

The feisty senator acknowledged Canadian concerns about the American prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which holds terror suspects including Canadian Omar Khadr.

He said good friends can offer advice without rancour and that he welcomes such advice.

"It happens that I also regard the prison at Guantanamo as a liability in the cause against violent radical extremism, and as president I would close it," he says, reiterating a campaign promise.

"I intend as well to listen carefully when close allies offer their counsel. And even when they don't volunteer their advice, I'll ask for it and seek it out."

As with other visiting Americans, McCain recited the mantra of Canada-U.S. relations - the close ties, intertwined trade and a long history of co-operation.

"What a blessing it is for the United States to have in Canada a neighbour we fear only on ice rinks and baseball diamonds."

He mentioned Canada's efforts in Afghanistan, noting the cost in money and blood.

"We know ... that Canada, too, has suffered casualties in the years since 9-11, and we honour their memory as we do our own."

Source: Canadian Press

More News in this Category