Decision at Midnight
472 pages, 6 x 9
Paperback
Release Date:01 Jan 1994
ISBN:9780774805438
PDF
Release Date:01 Oct 2007
ISBN:9780774854122
Decision at Midnight
Inside the Canada-US Free-Trade Negotiations
UBC Press
On 2 January 1988, Canada and the United States signed what was then the most comprehensive free trade agreeement the world had ever seen. This book is the story of those FTA negotiations, the preparations for and conduct of the negotiations, as well as the ideas and issues behind them. From their unique perspective as participants, Michael Hart, Bill Dymond, and Colin Robertson capture the drama and the personalities involved in the long struggle to make a free trade deal. They describe the extensive consultations, the turf-fighting among insiders, the innate caution of both politicians and bureaucrats, and the need to cultivate powerful constituencies in order to overcome the inertia of conventional wisdom.
A book written by bureaucrats that is both interesting and easy to read ... as well as an important revealing account of a vital period in our economic history.
Insiders' view of free-trade talks excels in outlining why and how ... satisfying story of the persevering little guy winning an even break from his huge, indifferent neighbour.
Loaded with detail about specific issues between the U.S. and Canadian negotiators.
Michael Hart is Senior Adviser, Trade Policy Studies, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and Adjunct Professor, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University. Bill Dymond is Canada's Ambassador to Brazil. Colin Robertson is Director General, Communications, in the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.
Foreword
Preface
1 The Fork in the Road
Part One: Setting the Stage
2 Policy Origins
3 No Anchor, No Rudder, No Compass: The US Setting
4 Preparing the Way
5 Reaching a Decision
6 Forging Ahead
7 Getting Ready
Part Two: Negotiating an Agreement
8 The Summer of Innocence
9 The Fall of Impatience
10 The Winter of Discontent
11 Spring Again: Moving Rocks
12 The Summer of Despair
13 Impasse in September
Part Three: The Real Thing
14 What Had Gone Wrong?
15 A Near Run Thing
16 The Lawyers Take Over
17 Conclusions: A Good Agreement
Note
Chronology of the Canada-US Free-Trade Negotiations
Glossary of Trade and Related Terms
Suggestions for Further Reading
Credits
Index
About the Authors
