Power play: How U.S.-Canada cooperation can skip the games and secure our borders

U.S. Canada relations could reshape global economy through energy cooperation, strategic minerals, and defense partnerships despite current political tensions.

ARTHUR HERMAN (@ArthurLHerman) is the author of Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II. His newest book, Founder’s Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump, will be published in April and is available on pre-order at Amazon.com.

Indeed, leaders need to set aside their personal pique and see the US-Canada relationship for what it is, a partnership forged in history with common economic and strategic interests to advance, as well as the resources to match.

"Forged in history" isn’t just a matter of both countries being part of the English-speaking people’s legacy of freedom and prosperity for the world, alongside the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It also reflects Canada’s essential contribution to Allied victory in World War II. The battle of the Atlantic, and hence victory over Nazi Germany, would not have been possible without the Canadian Royal Navy, which grew to become the world’s third-largest, from 13 ships in 1939 to over 400 by 1945, as its frigates, destroyers, and destroyer escorts shielded vital Allied convoys. More than 1.1 million Canadians served in uniform, with 45,000 losing their lives — a higher proportion of military deaths relative to population (roughly 0.4%) than the United States (0.32%).