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WASHINGTON–Barack Obama's chief economic adviser jokingly says he has a new policy when dealing with Canadians after an earlier meeting with consular staff in Chicago briefly derailed the Democrat's presidential campaign – don't talk to them.
Austan Goolsbee told PBS talk show host Charlie Rose his entire discussion with Canadian officials on NAFTA lasted about 10 seconds, yet it was turned into a widely distributed diplomatic dispatch that accused Obama of opposing the trilateral trade deal for political convenience.
The University of Chicago economics professor says he can joke, although acerbically, about the matter now.
"Top 10 things never to say to the Canadians," Goolsbee said.
"My wife said ... 'No. 1 is hello.'
"So I agree with my wife."
When the Canadian memo was leaked to the Associated Press, Prime Minister Stephen Harper ordered a probe and his then-chief of staff Ian Brodie stepped down in the wake of the controversy.
In the Charlie Rose interview, which aired late last week, Goolsbee said Canadian officials asked him point-blank about the Illinois senator's views on trade. "I said he's not in favour of abolishing NAFTA, but he believes that enforceable labour and environmental standards (should) be put in the core of the agreement," Goolsbee said.
"That was it. That was the whole discussion of NAFTA."
He denied Obama had changed his position on NAFTA, saying the Democratic nominee believes trade is beneficial and Americans can compete globally.
"You can't build a moat around the country," Goolsbee said.
While open markets have made the U.S. the richest country in the world, he said, people have to recognize many Americans have not shared in that bounty. "If we aren't mindful of those people's concerns, all the political will in favour of the markets is going to dry up."
