Nine Paradoxes of US-Canada Relations

Introducing a new series on what makes the relationship between the United States and Canada interesting and perplexing

When I decided to study Canada and US-Canadian relations in college an uncle referred to my career choice as being “the Maytag repairman of international relations.” This was a reference to an advertising campaign for Maytag appliances which were so good that no one called the repairman.

That is a common perception of the United States’ relationship with its neighbor. The two countries share so many things, from geography and history to multinational firms and supply chains, that disagreements seem manageable. Add to that the asymmetry of total population, economic output, and military capabilities and many people assume that even if the path to a resolution of differences is uncertain the outcome is not in doubt since the US can insist on getting its way.

When an American begins interacting with Canadians and encounters a difference on an issue or process, some may reassess prior assumptions about Canada. But most will assume that understanding Canada follows a shallow learning curve and attempt to muddle through in a manner unthinkable for an American working with Chinese, Brazilian, or Nigerian relationships. This is necessary triage for people operating in a complex and fast-paced decision environment, whether in business or government or civil society. Yet it is also intellectually lazy and often misjudges the complexity of Canadian society and policymaking.

The United States is a great country and in relations with other countries our executives and diplomats are capable of insight and shrewd judgment. Canada is also a great country. A US ally, security partner, economic coworker, foreign direct investor, and co-innovator, it is more important than many Americans realize particularly as bilateral relations have shifted gradually to include the direct involvement of more than 40 US federal departments with representatives at the US Embassy in Ottawa. The relationship is large and diffuse and not easily managed. There may be negligible risk of war between the two countries, but uninformed decision making and failures to coordinate add to the cost of doing business with Canada. So, why do we persist in taking a transactional approach to issues? When does winging it become a sufficient liability for the national interest that we shift to a more informed, nuanced strategy for relations with Canada?

This book is written for readers who understand the shortcomings of the way that the United States manages relations with Canada and are ready to do better. It is written for Americans and about Canadians. It is likely to be read by some Canadians, too, and I hope that they will respond in the comments with greater nuance but also consider how these puzzles affect Canadian relations with their American neighbors.