North America needs to pivot...to North America
In this U.S. election year, it is important to shift the conversation to the importance of U.S. relations with Mexico and Canada. This editorial, by the former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., the former Mexican ambassador to the U.S., and the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, believes that their governments should focus on advancing trilateral relations in the business sector and improve collaboration in the security conversation over illegal trafficking, extremism, and terrorism. The Wilson Center will launch an initiative this year to highlight the importance of North American co-operation and provide proposals for action.
This op-ed, written by Ambassadors Michael Kergin, Arturo Sarukhan, and Anthony Wayne, was published in The World Post, The Globe and Mail, and El Universal. The authors are former Canadian ambassador to the United States, former Mexican ambassador to the United States, and former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, respectively. The op-ed highlights the Wilson Center's upcoming North America Initiative, which will launch this year and will highlight the importance of North American co-operation and provide proposals for action.
The World Post: "Why North America Needs to Pivot to North America"
The foreign ministers of North America recently met in Québec with little fanfare. Yet, at a time of growing global disorder and uncertainty, North America is the strategic foundation from which the three nations secure their prosperity and safety.
Some $2.7 million in trade passes between the U.S. and its two neighbors each minute -- that's more than $3.5 billion a day. Mexico and Canada are the two largest export markets for the U.S., buying a third of all its exports. Millions of jobs depend on the trade and investment networks across our region, and the potential for added growth is enormous. A recent study by McKinsey predicts that if we keep working to improve the competitiveness of our North American market our economies could add 7.3 trillion dollars in GDP by 2040. And, if we seek better security against terrorism, we need to coordinate even better amongst ourselves to stop terrorists before they reach our borders and airports. Despite the huge value of regional cooperation, policymakers and politicians have given and give surprisingly little attention to strengthening North America's foundations, let alone recognizing the importance it already plays in our common well-being and security.
Read the op-ed in English in The World Post...
The Globe and Mail: "North America needs to pivot … to North America"
The foreign ministers of North America will meet in Quebec City on Friday morning with little fanfare. Yet, at a time of growing global disorder and uncertainty, North America is the strategic foundation from which the three countries secure their prosperity and safety.
About $2.7-million in trade passes between the United States and its two neighbours each minute. Mexico and Canada are the two largest U.S. export markets, buying a third of all that Americans send abroad. Millions of jobs depend on the trade and investment networks across our region, and the potential for added growth is enormous. A recent study by McKinsey & Co. predicts that if we keep working to improve the competitiveness of our North American market, our economies could add $8-trillion (U.S.) in gross domestic product by 2040.
Read the op-ed in English in The Globe and Mail...
El Universal: "Pivotar hacia Norteamérica"
Este 29 de enero, los cancilleres de Norteamérica se reunirán en Quebec sin demasiadas fanfarrias. No obstante, en estos tiempos de creciente incertidumbre y desorden mundial, Norteamérica se yergue como el cimiento estratégico sobre el cuál las tres naciones podrían asegurar su prosperidad y seguridad. Alrededor de 2.7 millones de dólares de comercio cruzan cada minuto entre Estados Unidos y sus dos vecinos. México y Canadá representan los dos mercados de exportación más grandes en EU, comprando un tercio de todas sus exportaciones. Millones de empleos dependen de las redes comerciales y de inversión en nuestra región y el potencial para un crecimiento aún mayor es enorme. Un estudio reciente de McKinsey postula que si seguimos trabajando para mejorar la competitividad del mercado norteamericano, nuestras economías podrían añadir 8 billones de dólares en PIB para 2040.
About the Authors
Hon. Michael F. Kergin
Senior Business Advisory, Bennett Jones LLP; Former Canadian Ambassador to the United States
Arturo Sarukhán
Advisory Board Member, Mexico Institute, Wilson Center; Former Mexican Ambassador to the United States; Founder & President, Sarukhan + Associates
Earl Anthony Wayne
Former Career Ambassador to Afghanistan, Argentina, and Mexico; Distinguished Diplomat in Residence, School of International Service, American University
Mexico Institute
The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute. Read more
Canada Institute
The mission of the Wilson Center's Canada Institute is to raise the level of knowledge of Canada in the United States, particularly within the Washington, DC policy community. Research projects, initiatives, podcasts, and publications cover contemporary Canada, US-Canadian relations, North American political economy, and Canada's global role as it intersects with US national interests. Read more
