Business forum highlights key global risks and what they mean for Canada
Centre is gone in U.S. politics’ — making it more difficult for Canada to navigate its relationship with the U.S. no matter who wins the presidency
Every year, the Global Business Forum in Banff, Alta., hosts experts from around the world to discuss geopolitical issues and global trends.
Major topics this year included geopolitical instability, wars and the U.S. election. Concerning Canada, experts agreed that the country must bolster its military forces and update critically important trade infrastructure, such as ports, railways and roads. Both the Armed Forces and infrastructure have been neglected by the Trudeau government for years.
The kickoff speaker was the distinguished American global thinker Robert Kaplan, a bestselling author of 22 books on foreign affairs. He is with the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Washington, D.C., and previously served on the Pentagon’s defence policy board and the U.S. Navy’s executive panel. He addressed world events, but also the U.S. election.
“The centre is gone in U.S. politics,” said Kaplan. “There is a move to the edges, and each side considers the other an existential threat.”
That makes it more difficult for Canada to navigate its relationship with the United States, no matter who wins the presidency. One speaker noted that Trump-bashing by Canadian Liberals is particularly unhelpful. Another said that the Bloc Québécois’ demand that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau protect supply management for farmers in Quebec will pose problems in upcoming trade negotiations with the U.S.
