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加拿大是美國第44任總統奧巴馬President Barack Obama上職後第一個探訪的國家,今天的行程主要是与第22任總理哈珀The Right Honourable Stephen Harper會面,談論內容多会包括: 兩國經濟貿易丶能源環保丶汽車工業丶世界局勢(阿富汗)等。
美國與加拿大接壤数千公里的共有边境線,大家在軍事防衛方面需要緊密合作不再話下,而兩國每年的出入口貿易共達約597億美元(2008年資料),其它行業例如旅遊文化交流更是不計其数,故此睦鄰是对相方有利。但美國的富強,並不就代表加拿大是「附屬」國,加拿大曾多次選擇和定斷自己的外交政策,例如承認中華人民共和國丶不參加抵制古巴丶决定不派兵往伊拉克等。
加拿大人对新上任的美國總統奧巴馬有很大的期望,一方面是基於利害關係,希望他能力挽狂瀾,扭轉經濟危机,另一方面是贊同他的領導才能,希望他能改善美國的外交政策,帶動世界走回穩定和平的軌道上。
攝影图片Photo Credit: Reuters
* 總統奧巴馬和總督莊美楷(中譯米凯勒‧琼/庄美楷) / US President Barack Obama and The Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
References:
* US Government Census - Trade with Canada 2008
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c1220.html#2008
* 美國第44任總統奧巴馬上職第一天 / The 44th US President Obama's First Day at Work
http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2009/01/44-44th-us-president-obamas-first-day.html
16 comments:
Watched the full press conference and Q&A, plus footage of his detour to pick up some treats. I am still concern about "Buy American" even after his reassurance, will have to wait and see. But Obama is certain a sharp guy and a charmer.
Have you seen the press conference and Q&A, etc ? What's your views and takes?
I am reading with interest. While I am pretty negative about how everything is going here in the U.S, I am glad our Canadian friends are somewhat hopeful.
我看到美國的"buy American"保護主義把加拿大剔除了,
雖然不知是否真的,
但可見美國佬都會畀面加拿大!
exile from hk: Compare to Bush 43, how can we (in fact the world) be not hopeful? :)
新鮮人: I think a clause is added to emphasize "Buy American" will have to respect International trade agreements (e.g. WTO and NAFTA). But you see, the devils are in the execution details. The State (and city) governments are known to sometimes ignore US Federal government's directives or suggestions when they like to.
As an aside, you think America, as a signatory of the Vienna convention means something? Well, not really, as the State level government had ignored US foreign obligations. Ah, thats a long story for another time.
I don't want to say anything that's remotely offensive to Hong Konger or Canadian any more. I've learned my lessons in the past week :-)
It's not like *I* don't want to trust Obama. When the hole is so deep, how can anyone fix that. I'm seeing an erosion of wealth in the U.S (don't know enough about other countries) that sadly may never come back for decades.
加燦:
Based on what I saw and heard, here are my thoughts. The new Prez is definitely an icon of hope for a lot of people around the world, esp visible minorities who are greatly encouraged by his slogan "Yes we can". However, the honeymoon might end soon and reality will set in when expectations are not met. It is therefore important that his administration take advantage of Mr. Obama's people skill and keep on communicating with his allies, constituencies, and even those who oppose him. For the first 100 days, he will need to quickly demonstrate his ability to lead and deliver. To this end, the support and performance of those supposedly non-partisan teams will be tested.
Exile from HK:
There is no doubt Canadians in generally like the man. The media and public attention given to his fly-by visit actually surprised his handlers and the American journalists who came. Incidentally, a recession is usually further fuelled by consumers' negativity and lack of confidence. But I guess that's the difference betwn rationality (what we think should be done) and emotion (what we actually do).
Transcript: Obama-Harper press conference QnA
At the end obama said:"It was much appreciated. And I'm looking forward to coming back to Canada as soon as it warms up. "
I thought on the surface harper gave obama all the respect but at the one-one dialog, harper gave obama some Cold Time, and probably refused to extend the mission in Afghanistan and hammered obama hard on the protectionism.
So until the relationships warms up obama is not intended to visit Ottawa again any sooner. It was not the cold temperature he was refering.
新鮮人:
>> .... 但可見美國佬都會畀面加拿大!
在外交政策和國際貿易的分析中,最主要是利丶害丶險丶和其它技術和客覌因素之間的衡量。主覌「面子」所佔的地位可大可少,在乎当時的媒界輿論和社会民意。
加燦:
According to media reports, Prez-43 had been greeted by thousands of protesters as opposed to the love-in we just had with Prez-44. Yes, hope is in the air.
As to International Agreements (WTO,NAFTA,UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods), I am not an expert in these areas, but it is my understanding the US' own Supremacy Clause might not be relevant when it comes to international contract procurements by local states or municipalities. I am sure there are precedence cases and rulings on the record somewhere.
Exile from HK:
You are right, one has to be a bit careful with how messages are being perceived and dealt with by bloggers from all spectrum of the society and every corner of the world.
As to digging out of a hole, maybe that hole is for building a new foundation for the world's economic order. We shall see.
Space: Thanks for the info.
>> ... It was not the cold temperature he was referring (to).
旁覌者清? So far, I have not heard any interpretations to that effect. I don't think it is to his advantage to cause people to second-guess his statements, or to project a barbed image.
畀面當然要有原因,
一定要有著數才會有面畀啦,
否則美國點會理加拿大吖!
政府講一套做又係一套,
地方政府當然要照顧自身利益為先,
中央政府咪隻眼開隻眼閉囉,
從來美國都是這樣架啦!
新鮮人:
我或許誤解了「有着數」与「畀面」,saving face,和respect之間的作用。
如我前述,國与國之間的利害關係(「有着數」),是外交政策决定因素其中之一,但不是所有原因。
I briefly gone thru his 7 hour trip itinerary at ottawa he didnt even care to go to pay his tributes to the canadian soliders died in Afghanistan at any Canadian monument or simply at the centennial flame just outside the parliament building. (correct me if I missed that part!)
Yet B4 he left for the airport, I saw on the tv news that he went to the market to buy key chains souvenir for his girls and accepted some canadian local snacks from the shoppers.
Did he value the death of over 100 canadian soldiers in Afghanistan less than the souvenir? and/or some public relations?
I very much doubted his sincerity.
Space:
One recent poll shows abt 70% of Canadians think the US Prez's very short visit to Ottawa is "useful". I have not heard or read any complains against him for not visiting monuments commemorating fallen soldiers. Au contraire, his surprise souvenir trip to the market was extremely well received by the media and the locals.
Please note he did acknowledge quite clearly at his meeting with the PM his appreciation for the sacrifice made by the 108 soldiers who had died in Afghanistan.
I am sure his handlers are aware of the different expectations from different peoples and countries and will make adjustments (in consultations with Chinese officials of course) when he visits China/HK.
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