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472 pages, 6 x 9

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Release Date:01 Jan 1994

ISBN:9780774805438

CA$34.95

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Release Date:01 Oct 2007

ISBN:9780774854122

CA$32.95

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Decision at Midnight

Inside the Canada-US Free-Trade Negotiations

By Michael Hart, with Bill Dymond and Colin Robertson

SERIES: Canada and International Relations

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.

RELATED TOPICS: American History, Business & Industry, Canadian History, Canadian Politics, History, International Relations, Political Science

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. Clive Cocking, Books in Canada

Loaded with detail about specific issues between the U.S. and Canadian negotiators. Jeffrey Simpson, Globe and Mail

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. David Evans, The Ottawa Citizen

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

Related Titles

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