The Promise and Peril of International Trade

The Promise and Peril of International Trade is a lively, accessible book that explores how the trade system affects elements of critical importance to Canadian society, such as the environment, the economy, and the arts.

Accessible to the general reader, The Promise and Peril of International Trade explores how international trade should and can be harnessed for social good, and that Canada's commitment to international institutions and agreements pertaining to trade, such as the WTO and NAFTA, should reflect this aim. The book examines trade-related social issues, such as genetically modified foods, immigration, environmental health, and national culture. Much of the book focuses on Canada, but not exclusively. It also addresses the impact of international trade on developing countries with small economies.

Moving beyond the problems and challenges of current trade policy, the book contains constructive proposals for policymakers and the public. How should a country like Canada interact with the WTO? How should trade deals like the NAFTA be structured to do the most good, both for Canada and its trading partners? How well are we managing trade today? This book is designed to help answer these questions.