>>yes, let’s just depend on saudi oil and screw canada<<
I’m calling you on the False Dilemma Fallacy!
I proposed merely that we renegotiate NAFTA with Canada, putting everything on the table as negotiable.
I never said that we should “screw” Canada, nor did I recommend depending upon Saudi Arabia for oil.
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It is possible renegotiate NAFTA with Canada, or even dissolve NAFTA, without paying more for Canadian oil (everything’s sold on spot-markets, anyway):
“Neither of these statements is true. Canadian producers are free to sell as much oil as they wish to whomever they wish, including, for example, overseas customers. As a result, the share of total output exported to the United States can rise or fall according to the normal forces of supply and demand.
The only condition that NAFTA imposes on Canadian energy products is that all buyers in North America must have equal rights to buy those products.” - Interpreting the Energy Provisions in NAFTA
Canadian Oil Exports to the United States Under NAFTA
Prepared by:
Michael Holden
Economics Division
16 November 2006
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And it is likewise possible to reduce our reliance upon Saudi oil regardless of our trade relations with Canada. Options include: reducing energy consumption, exploiting domestic energy resources to a greater extent, tapping alternate energy sources, etc.
Regards,
There’s no reason to renegotiate NAFTA and it is not worth the risk of antagonizing Canada. It’s not just the oil. There are so many reasons why we want strong relations with Canada.
if I will concede anything it is that we could unilaterally eliminate all trade barriers without resorting to treaties. But experience shows that treaties such as nafta have a greater chance of success at reducing trade barriers on both sides.
I also don’t know what you mean by reducing energy consumption. Sounds like enviro-socialism.