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International Political Economy
- “Free trade agreement: let the talks begin!”
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/free-trade-agreement-let-the-talks-begin(opens in a new window)
In 1985, then–Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced to parliament that talks had started with the United States for a free trade agreement. It quickly became one of the most controversial foreign policy initiatives in Canadian history. Those for and against the agreement argued for years before it was finally put into action in 1989. Immediately, further talks initiated towards including Mexico into the larger NAFTA agreement. This radio broadcast describes the issues at the beginning, when Mulroney made his first statement.
- “Revamped NAFTA deal, renamed USMCA, will 'rebalance' North America trade after Canada reaches 11th hour agreement”
https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/theyre-in-the-final-strokes-canada-and-u-s-make-key-concessions-as-deal-in-sight-sources-say(opens in a new window)
In this Financial Post video and news story, the new trade deal between the United States, Canada, and Mexico is explained. Renamed the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, the deal gives America new access to our dairy market but preserves a key dispute-resolution system.
- “The BRICs dream”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOdcQ3emyzM(opens in a new window)
It is estimated that Brazil, Russia, India, and China will become the most significant economies in the next 50 years. In this video, Goldman Sachs analyst Jim O’Neill (who coined the phrase “BRIC”) discusses why these four countries will have such an effect on the global economy in the years ahead.
- “Garment industry favouring foreign contracts”
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/garment-industry-favouring-foreign-contracts(opens in a new window)
What effects do the maquiladora manufacturing plants in Mexico have on similar industries in countries like Canada? In this clip from 1989, the owner of Bovie Manufacturing in Montreal says that the movement of contracts from Canada to Mexico is a short-term thing, and once wages in Mexico rise, jobs will return to Canada. Those garment industry jobs never did return, and subsequent changes to international trade laws saw what was left of the once-strong clothing manufacturing sector in Montreal practically disappear.
- “Global EV Outlook 2018”
https://www.iea.org/gevo2018/(opens in a new window)
In this video and associated fact sheet produced by The International Energy Agency, a ccomprehensive look at the state of electric vehicles is presented, along with charging infrastructure and policies around the globe. The IEA also provides a series of scenario outlooks to 2030.
- “Trade wars, explained”
https://www.vox.com/videos/2018/6/6/17434282/trade-wars-explained-video(opens in a new window)
In this Vox video, the economic and political justification for trade wars is discussed. As the video aptly enquires, “if we rely so much on trade, what is a trade war, and why do countries get caught up in them in the first place?”