Does Anyone Really Know What Negotiations Are in North America?

I ask that because the main business issue in North America is widespread trade and tariff uncertainty. It is so easy to point fingers at what is occurring.

Due to this, I thought I’d reveal what most people are not aware of.

Number 1 is a very poor understanding of the word negotiate. Negotiate means to talk with other people to reach a shared agreement or solve a problem; this involves discussion, compromise, and working through different ideas. It can also mean successfully traveling across a tough path or handling a tricky, demanding obstacle.

Number 2 is missing a key point on why we need to negotiate. It is the art of compromising. As a Canadian businessperson, I believe it is essential to have greater access to a high-income, advanced, mixed-market capitalist economy.

As I see it, the Prime Minister Carney’s position has been to make the U.S. President into a pariah or outcast. In negotiations, people call that tactic a straw man. It occurs when one party distorts, exaggerates, or oversimplifies the opponent’s position to attack or discard. During a negotiation, a straw man can be invoked to bolster a position, embolden its user, or inject fear, reward, or payback.

What people fail to recognize is that for decades, U.S. presidents have pushed Canada on major economic and security fronts. They have demanded increased defense spending to meet NATO targets. But it has been only President Trump who has had the inner strength to take action. So, he is the ‘bad guy’ in standing up for the country he represents.

To conclude, I want to quote 2 of our former leaders about their view on the United States and Canada relationship;

“Your country, my country — each is a better and stronger and more influential nation because each can rely upon every resource of the other in days of crisis. Beyond this, each can work and grow and prosper with the other through years of quiet peace.” He also said, “You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.” – President Dwight Eisenhower, Address before a joint session of the Parliament of Canada, November 14, 1953

“Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.” – Pierre Trudeau, former Prime Minister, addressing the Press Club in Washington, D.C., March 1969

My hope is the cooler heads will prevail, and remember what negotiations are all about and what they entail.