Analyzing Canada's Foreign Affairs: Trade, Peacekeeping, and Influence

This essay examines Canada's significant influence in international affairs, focusing on its decisions in foreign policy and trade. It highlights Canada's evolution from a British colony to an independent nation, emphasizing its contributions during the world wars, which elevated its global standing. The essay discusses Canada's continued role in international alliances, particularly its relationship with the United States, which has heavily influenced its foreign policy, including security and trade. The essay also explores Canada's approach to international trade, its reliance on exports and imports, and its pursuit of multiple trade partners, including agreements like CETA and NAFTA, and its growing interest in emerging economies. The essay references various academic sources to support its analysis of Canada's foreign policy and trade strategies.

1
Name:
Course
Professor’s name
University name
City, State
Date of submission

2
Discuss the important influence that Canada has in both its decisions in foreign
affairs (peacekeeping) and who they trade with.
Throughout the history of Canada, the country has shown its need to be its own
decision maker through taking bold steps to develop from a British colony to an independent
nation. This has been done through a series of actions that started in both the worlds’ wars
and this was a turning point. The Canadian military strength and sacrifices gave it confidence
to demand its own voice among the big boys and helped to raise its stature in the world stage.
Canada has maintained its influence and role in the global alliances and the western world
many years into the postwar era. However, its relationship with the United States which has
the biggest military strength and power that has dominated Canada’s foreign policy which
include security and trade (Kukucha, 2017).
By 1945, Canada had become a giant in both military and economic fronts and was
considered an influencer to some considerable size. Its External Affairs Department was fast
expanding while its own diplomats were diplomats unlike their foreign representatives in the
1920s and 1930s who did not reject foreign influence and involvement. Due to its wartime
sacrifices, a large percentage of the population, the French and the British media had the
feeling that Canada was owed a share in decision making internationally.
When Canada joined the United Nations and NATO, in the San Francisco conference
of 1945, it had marked its beginning to international influence. Its influence has been shown
after the cold war undermined the effectiveness of the UN and Canada advocated for the
formation of a Western regional union for collective defense (Lequesne, and Paquin, 2017).
This resulted to the Canadian military being sent to serve under the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) where its commanders led the UN in the Korean War. The decision led

3
to Canada increasing its armed forces and military equipment which led to its recognition in
the era of arms race.
Canada decision on who they trade with and why it’s important to have multiple
trade partners.
International trade has played a big role in Canada economy. The economy has successfully
relied on both exports and imports especially after the global trade expansion post war era. Its
exports and imports represents 65% or two thirds of the output which is the highest among
the G7 countries. Canada decision to have multiple trade partners and who they trade with is
brought about by the trade partnerships it has had with many countries (Lilly, 2018).
Through its trading agreement, Canada has increased its trade. However, the
protectionist forces in many parts of the world have proven to be a tricky affair. Its agreement
with Europe called the Comprehensive Economic trade Agreement (CETA) may not
necessary receive the vote it requires in the European parliament and emerging challenges
such as Brexit (Paquin, 2018). Deals with the United Stars which are the largest called the
North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA) has come into scrutiny after the trumps
administration which wants a review. However, Canada has increasingly sought trade in other
parts of the world particularly the emerging economies such as Brazil and India.

4
References
Kukucha, C.J., 2017. Federalism and Liberalization: Evaluating the Impact of American and
Canadian Sub-Federal Governments on the Negotiation of International Trade
Agreements. International Negotiation, 22(2), pp.259-284.
Lequesne, C. and Paquin, S., 2017. Federalism, paradiplomacy and foreign policy: A case of
mutual neglect. International Negotiation, 22(2), pp.183-204.
Lilly, M.B., 2018. International trade: the rhetoric and reality of the Trudeau government’s
progressive trade agenda. In Justin Trudeau and Canadian Foreign Policy (pp. 125-144).
Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Paquin, S., 2018. Multilevel governance and international trade negotiations: The case of
Canada’s trade agreements. Borders and margins: Federalism, devolution and multi-level
governance, pp.153-166.