Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Do You Know the Way, USMCA?

3

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Aug 26

Canada is still hoping for a new #security and #economic agreement with the United States, but the 2026 #USMCA review is not optional. Here is how it may play out: christophersands1.substack.com/p/do-you-kno...

Inspired by Burt Bacharach’s lyrics to Dionne Warwick’s hit song, I'm going back to the text to find some peace of mind on USMCA review

The Private Eye: Air Canada, Carney, and Cabotage

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Aug 26

Simon, your take is wise as usual! I am expecting the US to demur in 2027 and 2028 as well. I hope a future administration will renew and we can get trade rule stability again. Why is it tgey call economics the dismal science when politics is much more dismal?

1 1 4

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Aug 25

The outcome of the USMCA review in 2026 could become an issue in the US 2026 midterm elections. Time to get smart on how it works. christophersands1.substack.com/p/do-you-kno...

1 3

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Aug 18

If Ottawa and Washington want a big idea to boost #productivity via a new #USCanada security + economic agreement, open air cabotage and start piloting land cabotage to cut empty miles and make supply chains resilient. My case: christophersands1.substack.com/p/the-privat...

The Air Canada strike is a reminder that cabotage matters, and could revive US-Canada Security and Economic talks

Anger Management and the Future of US - Canadian Relations

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Aug 14

The #USCanada relationship is hot right now - too hot! In my latest Substack essay, I reflect on why we got here and how we can start to get back to good. christophersands1.substack.com/p/anger-mana...

Resurgent US and Canadian nationalisms have stoked divisions and rocked bilateral relations. Ottawa and Washington need to start thinking about the future of this relationship.

Private Eye: Any Port in a Trade Storm

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Aug 7

Port #infrastructure is at the heart of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's response to US tariffs. Here I look at some of the brightest prospects and what they could to for Carney, Canada, and #USCanada relations. christophersands1.substack.com/p/private-ey...

A handful of projects that will test the seriousness of PM Carney's Nation Building infrastructure push

Let's Make a Deal, or No Deal

1 2

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Aug 2

Will Canada and the United States negotiate a new #security and #economic agreement? I think yes, having learned from William Zartman how negotiations work. My latest on #USCanada relations is ripe for a read! christophersands1.substack.com/p/lets-make-...

The United States and Canada are more evenly matched as negotiators than it may appear

51st State to 50 First Dates

3

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Jul 22

US public service cuts matter beyond the DC Beltway. In a new piece I look at how they could impact #USCanada relations. open.substack.com/pub/christop...

Public Service Cuts in Washington Will Impact US-Canadian Relations

open.substack.com

American Leadership at Kananaskis

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Jun 12

As Calgary gears up for the #G7 summit in nearby Kananaskis, Alberta, I contributed an essay to the summit briefing book and a conference today hosted by the @ucalgary.bsky.social. Sharing it via my Substack open.substack.com/pub/christop...

In an uncertain global landscape, American leadership can prove decisive

open.substack.com

Observations on US-Canada Relations from Washington

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · May 23

While hunting for a new Washington think tank home, I decided to start a Substack column on #USCanada relations from an American POV. Comments welcome, and subscribe if you are interested. christophersands1.substack.com/p/observatio...

The reasons behind this Substack column

Game On for the United States and Canada After Oval Office Opener

1 1 2

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · May 9

After their Oval Office Opener, Trump and Carney have taken each other's measure. The #USCanada negotiations that come next will have at least three interrelated topics, as Christopher Hernandez-Roy and I lay out in this analysis for @csis.org. www.csis.org/analysis/gam...

CSIS Americas Deputy Director and Senior Fellow Christopher Hernandez-Roy and Chris Sands unpack the state of play with U.S.-Canada relations and the defense, security, and trade issues that will defi...

www.csis.org

3 6

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Apr 20

My reflections on the closure of the @wilsoncenter.org Canada Institute www.linkedin.com/posts/christ...

1 3 5

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Mar 25

If Canada's 2021 was the "election about nothing" the April 28, 2025 #election will be an election about something: #USCanada relations. www.wilsoncenter.org/article/cana...

Canada's 2025 Election: A Referendum on US-Canadian Relations

Canadian Election 2025 | Episode 1: Nik Nanos

4

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Mar 24

@wilsoncenter.org has a new series on the Canadian election! In this episode, cohosts @xavierdelgado.bsky.social and Madison Lipson chat with pollster extraordinaire @niknanos.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs9N... #cdnpoli

YouTube video by WoodrowWilsonCenter

www.youtube.com

1

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Mar 11

As new #tariff threats against Canada fly, I take a look at the bitter legacy the #USCanada #tradewar will leave behind. www.wilsoncenter.org/article/thre...

Three Furies Reawakened in Canada

The “Iron Dome” and Implications for the North

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Mar 1

The US contemplates a North American "Golden Dome" modeled on Israel's Iron Dome. What will this mean for Canada? www.wilsoncenter.org/article/iron...

Trade War Or USMCA Upgrade: One Or The Other, But Not Both

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Feb 13

Great conversation at @wilsoncenter.org on critical minerals, China, security, and Arctic infrastructure with premiers of Canada's northern territories. www.wilsoncenter.org/event/northe...

1

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Feb 1

Trump can start a North American trade war or launch talks for a better USMCA today, but not both. My thoughts on a potentially tariffying day: www.wilsoncenter.org/article/trad...

Justin Trudeau, Resigned. What Next for US – Canadian Relations?

2 1 2

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Jan 7

If you are not Canadian, or not a Canadianist, today's announcement by Justin Trudeau raises more questions than answers. In my latest, I try to explain to a US audience what will happen next and what it means for US priorities. www.wilsoncenter.org/article/just...

Only Americans Can Convince President Trump That Tariffs Against Canada Are A Bad idea. They Have Many Reasons To Try!

4

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Dec 18

Who or what can stop the Trump 25% #tariff from hitting Canada? In a new essay for @wilsoncenter.org Global Fellow Roy Norton has the answer. www.wilsoncenter.org/article/only...

Canada’s Finance Minister Steps Down in Blow to Trudeau’s Leadership

5

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Dec 17

Canada's political earthquake yesterday is still shaking things up. In a new video for the @wilsoncenter.org I look at the resignation of Chrystia Freeland and what it means for the Trudeau government and #USCanada relations. www.wilsoncenter.org/video/canada...

Report for the North American Leaders Summit: Ensuring Energy Security, Maintaining Competitiveness and Expanding Innovation in North America

3 4

Christopher Sands @uscanada-sands.bsky.social · Dec 15

The Trump #tariff threat has got North Americans focusing on the downside of the region, but there are many upsides. Take #energy #innovation where this new @wilsoncenter.org report highlights many opportunities if we work together. www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/...