Mulroney went on to win that election and implement the trade agreement, despite Turner's warning that "when the economic levers go, the political independence is sure to follow."
Despite strong feelings on trade with Canada's longtime neighbour and ally more than two decades ago, Turner declined to comment, when reached by phone, on the prospect of free trade with China - something that was raised last week as Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with officials in China.
"I read the agreements, so I knew something about it," Turner said of free trade with the U.S. "I'm not too familiar on what's happening here," he said of discussions with China.
Agreements were announced last week that would increase the trade of oil, uranium and other goods between Canada and China.
As well, there were indications China is interested in a more universal trade pact with Canada, though Trade Minister Ed Fast had this to say on that prospect: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here."
Free trade or not, it's clear the Harper government sees China - a Communist country regularly criticized for its approach to human rights and freedoms - as an increasingly important economic partner.
It begs the question of whether Canadians should be worried about losing sovereignty to China as economic ties to that country grow.
Green party leader Elizabeth May thinks so. Looking back on it now, she said some of the rhetoric used against free trade with the U.S. was overblown.
But she did say the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - which it evolved into when Mexico became part of it- has deteriorated Canada's ability to manage its own affairs.
She pointed to Chapter 11 of NAFTA, which has been used by private companies to challenge regulations passed by various levels of government if the company feels its investments have been compromised by a certain policy.
If such a provision were applied to Canada's arrangement with China, it could result in an oppressive regime having veto power over elected officials in Canada on domestic affairs, she argued.
"It's another leap altogether to have enterprises owned by the government of China - with their executives appointed by the Communist Party of China - to have the ability to sue any town or city or province or federal government decision that they didn't like," May said.
Wayne Easter, the Liberal party's current trade critic, takes a less alarmist tone with regard to free trade with China than the former leader of his party did in 1988 with regard to the U.S.
"There's certainly pros and cons to it," he said. "We need to really know what is being talked about in terms of a free-trade deal (with China).
"We do know that overall trade had benefited (Canada) with the United States."
However, he added that Turner wasn't completely off base in warning about Canada losing independence as a result of the U.S. free-trade deal.
"What we've seen is indeed some loss of control over our sovereignty," he said, pointing to things such as jobs and natural resources.
Easter said free trade in itself is not a threat to Canadian sovereignty, but any deal made should include provisions that protect Canada's interests - particularly jobs and the environment.
"There's some lessons that I think we've learned over the last number of years," he said. "The bottom line is it has to be of net benefit to Canadians."
Original Article
Source: calgary herald
Author: Derek Abma
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