A Malign Sense of Sovereignty: Canada's Debate Over U.S. Trade Relations

Since 9/11, the Canadian government, aside from some important security measures, has taken no significant initiatives to broaden, deepen or safeguard Canada-U.S. trade in the event of another terrorist attack. This is troublesome, if one is concerned about the well-being of individual Canadians. In part, arguments against further ties with the United States revolve around sovereignty concerns. The question becomes whether a customs union would benefit Canadians, the ultimate holders of Canadian sovereignty. The answer is yes. The costs are minimal, and the benefits are large.