These aspirations may have different cultural contexts for each nation, but the underlining principals are fundamental to each nation. These nations hold an economic, social, and political relationship which must be fostered and protected. Although some issues may arise it is essential for these issues to be worked out, so that each country can thrive. Both countries must work hard at maintaining a peaceful and working relationship. .
There are many issues that each government sees as primary to this friendly neighboring relationship. Some of the main issues are; trade, the environment, and border security. Investigation of each issue shows the extent to this bilateral relationship. .
Trade is the main issue between Canada and the United States. Each day Canada and the U.S. trade over one billion dollars in goods, which is more then any other two other nations in the world. This can be credited to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established in 1993 and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 1987, which has more then doubled the trade between Canada and the United States. NAFTA is an inclusive trade agreement that improves almost all elements of doing business within North America. NAFTA eliminated nearly all tariffs by 1998 between the U.S. and Canada.
Trade between these two nations is what keeps the friendship thriving as well as what tests the relationship. Canada is the United States" largest supplier of crude oil and refined products, natural gas, electricity and uranium, while for 37 U.S. states Canada is the leading market for goods. Softwood lumber is Canada's largest exports to the United States, and also one of the hot issues between the two nations. This trade is important to both countries; Canada is the U.S." supplier of over one third of their softwood lumber and approximately 300 communities within Canada are focused around sawmill production. Solving the lumber dispute remains one of Canada's top trade priorities.
