August 20, 2007

Bush To Talk Trade, Borders In Canada

Texans are bracing for Hurricane Dean, but fear not: President Bush leaves the Western White House today for the safety of our neighbor to the north.

Bush will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon during a two-day summit in Quebec. It's in some ways a perfunctory meeting among neighbors -- no major policy pronouncements are expected -- though all parties involved have pressing issues to resolve.

High on the agenda: borders, trade and... borders.

In separate one-on-one sessions, Bush and Calderon are expected to go over the U.S. president's new immigration initiative, which he decreed by executive order after Congress failed to pass a long-awaited legislative overhaul. Bush's empathy for Mexicans who cross the border is well-documented, but there could be sticking points between the two leaders on the enforcement arm of the U.S. plan. Bush and Calderon may also discuss a new anti-drug trafficking aid package, which would help Mexico take on a violent narcotics trade.

Bush and Harper will also talk about the border, but for different reasons. New U.S. rules require those traveling between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico to present a passport. According to Bloomberg News, a study estimated the new rules would reduce American tourism in Canada, costing that country about $942 million by 2008. The requirement has already wreaked havoc on the U.S. passport system; in early June, the State Department was forced to delay implementation when a backlog of applications threatened to sink summer vacation plans.

The Canadian Press reports that the 'Three Amigos' will announce plans to create new border regulations for emergencies, such as a terrorist attack. The three leaders are also expected to discuss easing trade restrictions in order to dampen the competition threat from China.

Hurricane Dean could break up the summit early, depending on the damage it visits upon Mexico and Texas; the Toronto Globe and Mail has details. Where Bush goes, protesters can't be far behind; CP has that story. And if you thought Congress was full of colorful figures, Canadian Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion is accusing Bush and Harper of negotiating a top-secret water-export deal, the Toronto Star reports.

Posted at 10:03 AM
Posted to: Bush Administration, Canada, Mexico, President Bush
Share via