Enthusiasm for Obama Likely to Wane Once Policies Are Clear

(Madeline Drohan — Globe & Mail)

Canadian enthusiasm for Barack Obama is likely to wane once the warm and fuzzy idea of an Obama presidency becomes a much firmer reality. That will happen later this month when the new president takes office and begins putting flesh on the bones of skeletal policy pronouncements.

While he was embraced by much of the world, Mr. Obama was elected to be president of the United States. In putting American interests first, he will inevitably alienate some of his former international supporters.

Of chief concern to Canadians, including business, are his plans on energy, the environment, and trade. In each of these important areas, his campaign promises and cabinet selections strongly suggest trouble ahead for Canada.

Trade

Mr. Obama raised hackles in Canada when he said last year that he would renegotiate the North America Free Trade Agreement. That alone will cause upheaval in Canada, especially if the renegotiation results in more restricted access to the U.S. market which is a possibility given the protectionist bent of the incoming, Democrat-dominated Congress.

A number of influential voices in Canada have suggested this is an opportunity for Canada to pursue a bilateral course with the U.S., essentially leaving Mexico to one side. That thinking may be flawed.

Canada gets less attention in Washington than Mexico and may be overlooked completely once it is no longer seen as part of a trio. Hispanic voters, many with roots in Mexico, carry a lot of clout in the southern states. And many of the influential jobs that touch on trade have been given to politicians from the southwest. Read the complete article here.