tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331441403058020963.post8307236937706858909..comments2024-03-28T06:49:24.930-04:00Comments on International Political Economy at the University of North Carolina: Another Shameless PlugThomas Oatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092437150746625670noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331441403058020963.post-42252486813013797252013-02-14T16:26:38.713-05:002013-02-14T16:26:38.713-05:00Vladimir,
Thanks for the comment. We knew about ...Vladimir, <br /><br />Thanks for the comment. We knew about the Canada-EU FTA, but couldn't cover it properly in the space we had. It's possible that that, in combination with US-Canada integration via NAFTA, provided some of the emphasis for the EU-US negotiations to begin. <br /><br />I think some regulations will be more difficult to harmonize than others. Many producers would love to have harmonization in manufacturing. Agriculture may be more difficult, esp when it comes to things like GMOs.<br /><br />I also think you're right that harmonization does not always mean liberalization. Pharma IP is one example of this.<br /><br />Anyway, the outcome remains to be seen. What Sarah and I were arguing is that the normal political constraints appear to be somewhat different in this case. Whether other constraints emerge is something of a different question, but for now all of the major stakeholders appear to support some kind of deal. That may change when the details are negotiated, of course.Kindred Winecoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14330671232391851377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331441403058020963.post-14206464342284120402013-02-14T16:11:37.526-05:002013-02-14T16:11:37.526-05:00Canada and the EU are putting the finishing touche...Canada and the EU are putting the finishing touches on a FTA and the remaining issues appear to be tied to government procurement in Canada, Canadian IP rules and agriculture. While I think you're spot on about the politics when it comes to traditional trade barriers, I am skeptical about how much support there is in the US or for that matter Canada for regulatory harmonization. The interesting question is whether or not this kind of trade deal is a mechanism for reforming domestic regulation in a more market friendly manner. If Canada sacrifices its dairy marketing boards then maybe yes it is;if Canada strengthens patent protection on pharmaceuticals it'll be a step away from liberalization. Vladimirhttp://cirovskiv.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com