It’s been called the world’s longest undefended border, something both Canadians and Americans took pride in. That changed after September 11th. It’s still a friendly border, but the post 9-11 era has forced a re-evaluation.
Any transactions moving across international borders must be secured and free of terrorist threats. However, what has that meant to trade between Canada and the United States. Security is important, but millions of dollars a day in business is dependent on a well managed and efficient border. Delays drive up costs and threaten business opportunities, including those for the Atlantica region.
A study conducted by James E. McConnell from State University of New York in Buffalo and published in Impact Analysis, examines the Canada-US border and the impact both present and future that increased security costs may have on trade between the two countries.
In his study, McConnell explains that, “More than 75 percent of Canadian respondents indicated that new security compliance requirements have created negative export effects compared to only 25 percent among U.S. respondents.” Striking the balance between keeping imports and exports safe against the need to keep business competitive will be a major factor in the post 9-11 era.
To read the complete article, click here.