U.S. envoy plays up Canada's role in economic recovery
U.S. envoy plays up Canada's role in economic recovery
0 Comments | Winnipeg Free Press, Jul 21, 2010 | by Martin, Melissa
THOUGH he's only held his office for 10 months, United States ambassador David Jacobson can already name a lot of things he admires about Canada.
For instance, there's our firmly regulated banks, which did not require a nearly trillion-dollar bailout in 2009. Then there's our housing market, which didn't collapse last year. Both of those features are now a model of success in a tumultuous global economy, Jacobson told the Free Press.
And don't forget the finer things in life. "Your Tim Hortons franchises have introduced us to the wonders of the dutchie," Jacobson quipped at a Fort Garry Hotel luncheon on Tuesday afternoon.
The ambassador, in town to speak later Tuesday afternoon at the Assembly of First Nations' annual general meeting, launched his public schedule in Winnipeg with a light lunch at the hotel presented by the Canadian Club of Winnipeg. After a 30-minute speech, Jacobson took questions and posed for pictures with the well-heeled crowd of 120.
Though the theme of the talk was obvious -- it's the economy, stupid! -- the talking points were fresh from the top. In June, U.S. President Barack Obama told G20 leaders in Toronto that "no nation should assume its path to prosperity is paved with exports to America," a controlled jab at mega-exporters such as China and a bold announcement of Obama's hopes for a more competitive U.S. economy.
"I've made it clear that the United States will compete aggressively for the jobs and industries and markets of the future," Obama said.
On Tuesday, Jacobson echoed Obama's sentiments. The U.S. is the world's largest exporter, Jacobson said, and now aims to double its global exports over the next five years via its National Export Initiative. "As much as we'd like to, we can't rely on iPads for all of it," Jacobson said, noting that the U.S. will aim to become a leader in building new technology.
Canada, Jacobson said, will play a key role in Obama's hopes for the U.S. economy. In order to facilitate trade, the ambassador said, the two nations need to "hammer out" the so-called "non-tariff trade barriers," such as mismatched regulations on consumer packaging, and make the border more efficient for trade.
Those statements perked ears: after Jacobson opened the floor to questions, audience members queried him on manufacturing and cross-border trade. One retired history teacher had something else on his mind. "At the age of 87, I figured it was about time I spoke to the American ambassador about our export of oil," James Alward said, standing before the room
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