{"id":13174,"date":"2021-08-23T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-08-23T09:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2021\/08\/23\/its-redundant-economists-puzzled-over-otooles-pledged-trade-strategy\/"},"modified":"2021-08-23T09:00:32","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T09:00:32","slug":"its-redundant-economists-puzzled-over-otooles-pledged-trade-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2021\/08\/23\/its-redundant-economists-puzzled-over-otooles-pledged-trade-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;It&#8217;s redundant&#8217;: Economists puzzled over O&#8217;Toole&#8217;s pledged trade strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align:center\"><\/div><p> \n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\" class=\"article-header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Breadcrumb Trail Links<\/h2>\n<ol class=\"breadcrumbs__items list-unstyled\">\n<li class=\"breadcrumbs__item\"> News <\/li>\n<li class=\"breadcrumbs__item\"> Economy <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<p class=\"article-subtitle\"> Some economists say gains from CANZUK would be small and negotiations could prove to be more troublesome <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"published-by\">\n<p>Author of the article:<\/p>\n<p> <span class=\"published-by__author\">Bianca Bharti<\/span> <\/div><\/div>\n<figure class=\"featured-image\"><picture class=\"featured-image__ratio featured-image-category__economy\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"featured-image__caption image-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">Conservative Leader Erin O&#8217;Toole speaks to the media, Aug. 18, 2021, in Quebec City. <\/span> <span class=\"credit\">Photo by Ryan Remiorz\/THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/span> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/header>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>Erin O\u2019Toole\u2019s Conservative Party has pledged to pursue a trade deal with Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom if it wins the Sept. 20 election \u2014 a promise that has puzzled some trade economists.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group\">\n<section class=\"ad\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Advertisement<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-2\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[6,6],[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-interscroller=\"6x6\" data-ad-loc=\"2\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[6,6],[320,50],[300,50],[300,250],[300,600]]\" id=\"ad-2\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:600px\">\n<div class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p> This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>Stephen Harper, the last Conservative prime minister, was big on doing trade deals. He completed agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Jordan; initiated talks with the European Union; and pursued an elusive compact with India, one of Asia\u2019s fastest-growing economies.<\/p>\n<p>O\u2019Toole, who served as a cabinet minister in Harper\u2019s government, would be less ambitious, according to the policy manifesto he released on Aug. 16.<\/p>\n<p>The only countries mentioned by name as trade deal targets are the three Commonwealth countries with which Canada shares history and a language. According to the platform, a CANZUK agreement \u201ccould include\u201d free trade and investment between the four nations, easier movement for all citizens, enhanced security and defence partnerships and increased intelligence cooperation.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group\">\n<section class=\"ad\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Advertisement<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-3\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[7,7],[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-interscroller=\"7x7\" data-ad-loc=\"3\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[7,7],[300,250],[320,50],[300,50]]\" id=\"ad-3\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:250px\">\n<div class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p> This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>Some economists said they found the idea odd because the gains would be small and negotiations could prove to be more troublesome than they might appear at first glance. New Zealand, for example, is a big dairy exporter and would inevitably demand greater access to Canada\u2019s highly protected market. Same with Australia when it comes to wine. Apart from agriculture, goods already flow relatively freely between the four countries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s redundant,\u201d said Keith Head, an economics professor who focuses on international trade at the University of British Columbia\u2019s Sauder School of Business. \u201cWe\u2019ve already got these agreements.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are members of the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which came into effect in December 2018.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group\">\n<section class=\"ad\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Advertisement<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-4\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-loc=\"4\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[320,50],[300,50],[300,250]]\" id=\"ad-4\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:250px\">\n<div class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p> This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>After the U.K. exited the European Union in January 2020, Canada and the U.K. negotiated an agreement that espoused many of the same parameters the two countries traded within under the Canada-EU deal. As well, the U.K. is trying to garner support to join the CPTPP. If British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is successful, CANZUK would effectively exist under the auspices of a larger group that would provide a greater array of options than the smaller collection of similar economies could offer.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>The critical question is how far are they proposing CANZUK go<\/p>\n<p>Trevor Tombe<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The CPTPP \u201cis one of the most comprehensive trade agreements ever,\u201d said Trevor Tombe, an economics professor at the University of Calgary who specializes in internal and external trade. The Trans-Pacific Partnership goes beyond tariff reductions to \u201charmonize\u201d regulations, such as with intellectual property, and makes cross-border investment easier, he said. \u201cSo it\u2019s difficult to imagine what else would go into CANZUK that would make it different,\u201d Tombe said.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group\">\n<section class=\"ad\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Advertisement<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-5\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-loc=\"5\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[320,50],[300,50],[300,250]]\" id=\"ad-5\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:250px\">\n<div class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p> This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>To be sure, trade economists might be interpreting O\u2019Toole\u2019s trade agenda too narrowly. Adam Taylor, a trade adviser in the Harper government, said the Conservative focus on a CANZUK deal represents a shift in the party\u2019s approach to trade.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIncreasing Canada\u2019s free-trade network around the world to diversify markets, to pursue all free trade agreements we could sign \u2014 that was the doctrine\u201d under Harper, said Taylor, who now heads his own trade consulting firm, Export Action Global Inc. But, \u201cfree trade can\u2019t be the end-goal itself,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cIt has to be strategically selective with people that we are comfortable doing deeper business with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Conservative platform says as much. \u201cWe do not promote free trade for the sake of free trade but instead believe in engaging international markets to create Canadian jobs, investment, and strategic partnerships,\u201d the platform reads.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group\">\n<section class=\"ad\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Advertisement<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-6\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-loc=\"6\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[320,50],[300,50],[300,250]]\" id=\"ad-6\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:250px\">\n<div class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p> This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>O\u2019Toole was unavailable for comment and instead issued a statement in response to questions. \u201cWith the rise of China, Canada has a moral duty to stand alongside its democratic partners. Canada\u2019s Conservatives have a strong track record on trade, and understand that free trade drives Canadian jobs, investment, and strategic partnerships with our allies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The platform takes a hard stance against China, pledging to disentangle the Canadian economy from the growing global power. And while there are points in the platform that pledge to engage and invest in other nations, such as ones in the Indo-Pacific or Africa, there are no other pledges to explicitly pursue further deals aside from CANZUK.<\/p>\n<section aria-labelledby=\"moreTopicLabel4146908089148961839926762291172065\" class=\"more-topic\" data-carousel=\"\" data-carousel-icon-button=\"\" data-carousel-type=\"list\"><button aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"more-topic__button-prev\" data-carousel-prev=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" title=\"previous\" type=\"button\"\/><\/p>\n<ol class=\"more-topic__items list-unstyled\" data-carousel-slide-list=\"\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<li class=\"more-topic__item\" data-carousel-item=\"\"><picture class=\"more-topic__item-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole waves during a speech in Quebec City.\" class=\"lazyload\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80,\n                                    https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=192&strip=all&quality=80 2x,\n                                    https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0819otoole.jpg?h=288&strip=all&quality=80 3x\" width=\"96\"\/><\/picture>\n<h3 class=\"more-topic__item-text\"><span class=\"more-topic__item-text-clamp\"> Diane Francis: Erin O&#8217;Toole&#8217;s platform proves he is ready to govern unlike Trudeau the child <\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"more-topic__item\" data-carousel-item=\"\"><picture class=\"more-topic__item-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a campaign stop near Victoria, B.C., on Thursday.\" class=\"lazyload\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80,\n                                    https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=192&strip=all&quality=80 2x,\n                                    https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/vw0820trudeau.jpg?h=288&strip=all&quality=80 3x\" width=\"96\"\/><\/picture>\n<h3 class=\"more-topic__item-text\"><span class=\"more-topic__item-text-clamp\"> Despite Trudeau&#8217;s apparent shrug, an election is a good time to talk about monetary policy <\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"more-topic__item\" data-carousel-item=\"\"><picture class=\"more-topic__item-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"None\" class=\"lazyload\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&ssl=1\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80,\n                                    https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=192&strip=all&quality=80 2x,\n                                    https:\/\/smartcdn.prod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/no0819singh.jpg?h=288&strip=all&quality=80 3x\" width=\"96\"\/><\/picture>\n<h3 class=\"more-topic__item-text\"><span class=\"more-topic__item-text-clamp\"> Philip Cross: Ignore the scaremongers, cutting spending is Canada&#8217;s best way out of deficit <\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><button aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"more-topic__button-next\" data-carousel-next=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" title=\"next\" type=\"button\"\/><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group\">\n<section class=\"ad\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Advertisement<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-7\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-loc=\"7\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[320,50],[300,50],[300,250]]\" id=\"ad-7\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:250px\">\n<div class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p> This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p>Tombe said there could be value in a CANZUK agreement if the Conservatives negotiate for freer movement of students and workers between the nations. The platform pledges to do that, but he said the language is too vague to know what O\u2019Toole would pursue if he becomes prime minister.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe critical question is how far are they proposing CANZUK go,\u201d Tombe said. \u201cThis matters since labour mobility would be where a potential CANZUK deal could add more value beyond current trade agreements.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, 3.8 per cent of Canada\u2019s merchandise exports went to the U.K., 0.4 per cent went to Australia and 0.1 per cent went to New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why it would make more sense economically to use scarce negotiating resources in the pursuit of bigger targets such as India, said Head, the University of British Columbia trade expert. \u201cYou can have an easy trade agreement that won\u2019t really do much,\u201d he said. \u201cOr you can devote your resources to India, which is the big prize, but it\u2019s hard.\u201d<br \/>_____________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<p data-async=\"\"><strong><em> If you like this story sign up for  FP Economy Newsletter.<br \/><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>_____________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__share-group article-delimiter\" data-evt=\"beforeunload\" data-evt-typ=\"scroll-depth\" data-evt-val=\"{\" control_fields=\"\" of=\"\" page=\"\" viewed=\"\" story=\"\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Share this article in your social network<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"article-content__ad-group\">\n<div class=\"ad__section-border ad__section-border--category visually-hidden\">\n<section class=\"ad\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Advertisement<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-acceptable\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-acceptable=\"\" 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