It's in Canadian interests to make reasonable efforts to ensure that any negotiations over NAFTA begin with a focus on developing changes that benefit all three member States and on avoiding partisan political scapegoating pandering to domestic audiences by the negotiators.

Care must be taken, however, to ensure that Canadian efforts in this regard do not suggest that Canada, faced with bullying tactics, is prepared to settle for disadvantageous terms or to side inappropriately with the US at Mexico's expense.

Hard bargaining by each of the three NAFTA member States is to be expected and Canada must be prepared to give way on some issues if this can lead to changes that, on balance, improve North American trading conditions.  However, Canada must strongly resist pressure to make unilateral concessions or to become the junior partner in efforts to gang up with the US against third nations. Such craven responses can only harm Canada in the long run.