In Canada and the United States, it is understood by many – although certainly not by all – that it is in our own interest, both economic and geopolitical, to increase the number of countries taking part in a liberalized financial and trade order. While there have been clear successes, particularly in Asia, there have also been clear disappointments.
Within Latin America, there have perhaps been more disappointments than successes. And even in those Latin American countries that have taken real steps to join the global economy, anti-globalization sentiment remains quite strong. So today, I want to talk about the factors that have led to either success or setback in our progress towards a liberalized global framework for trade and finance.