Rewind to July 28, 2015, when then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed a joint session of American legislators. He was speaking at the opening of this year’s annual Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon. Harper concluded by observing that “dynamic trade is important” and that the United States would come to understand this trade dynamic. He highlighted the importance of diversification and not putting all your eggs in one economic basket.
In his short speech, Harper expressed his alarm over recent events that have resulted in Canadians feeling “mad and confused” by U.S. policy. Indeed, he singled out the current administration’s trade policy as a “failed economic policy” based almost entirely on tariffs. He stated, “We just cannot be in a position in the future where we can be threatened in this way and not have that leverage.”
Harper’s remarks came after a week of discussions with the Canadian government. They were calling him to get an idea of how to move through a new U.S. trade policy. He noted that his advice had shifted significantly: “When the government did actually ask me a few weeks ago, my advice was the opposite.” This change shows Harper’s maturing understanding of what U.S. trade policy strategies really mean.
A Call for Broader Trade Partnerships
Harper made the argument that we must look to cultivate strong, diversified trading relationships around the world. Importantly, he underscored the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a critical opportunity for Canada. He stressed that this agreement allows Canada to engage in trade with nations that honor global trade rules, thereby fostering economic resilience.
The former Prime Minister pointed out that despite the proximity to the U.S., Canada should not be overly dependent on its southern neighbor for trade. “Just because we have that geographic proximity does not justify the degree of dependence that we have on a single market,” he remarked. By diversifying these trade partnerships, Harper believes Canada is better positioned to protect its own economic interests.
Harper is a passionate champion for diversification. He claims that China is subverting international free trade by gaming the rules of the World Trade Organization. He cautioned that Canada must remain vigilant against such threats while seeking to strengthen its economic ties with other nations.
Defense and Security Considerations
Beyond the aging economic debate, Harper spoke to their national defense. He did stress that Canada should increase its defense budget, allowing it to stop relying on the U.S. military. “While the border is a shared responsibility, let’s make sure we spend a lot more on defence so that we can be independently responsible for our own land, seas and skies, independent of the United States,” he stated.
His insights on U.S. foreign policy also harkened back to previous debates over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Harper again affirmed his long-standing view that preventive military action will be needed to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “I have been saying for 15 years at least that the single biggest threat of nuclear war was Iran ever getting a nuclear weapon,” he remarked, further noting that he had privately communicated this urgency to American administrations during his tenure.
