Not as perfectly situated

May 5, 2024

I suppose it is ultimately an exercise in fantasy because politics and nationalism being the forces, they are not likely to ever completely stop meddling in trade as a way to gain favour at home, or as a way to fire a salvo in political battles with other nations.

If I think back to social studies and history classes in school many, many years ago, I recall the teacher suggesting Canada would do quite well if the world simply let countries that produce something best be allowed to do it. On the surface that is rather a reasonable vision. For example does it make sense to try and grow wheat by reclaiming desert? Certainly, that would make little sense if trade flowed unencumbered, but the reality is that in our increasingly volatile world there is risk on relying on another country for your food supply.