"Now is the time to have an open and honest dialogue about the role of trade in the economy and the ways it influences economic growth, job creation, and wealth generation," writes AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal in an op-ed for Poder on the sustainable benefits liberalized trade has for the global economy.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper marked the first visit by a Canadian premier to Panama by inking a trade deal with President Ricardo Martinelli. Writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin: "Washington’s diminishing interest in trade liberalization has served as an opportunity for Canada to pursue new markets and show world leadership on free trade."

During an August 9 and 10 summit in Guadalajara, North American leaders forged consensus on issues ranging from climate-change policy to security, writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin.

"If the United States is going to be a partner with Latin America—a healthy and laudable goal—the aspiring powers of the hemisphere need to shake off their timidity and worn-out rhetoric," write AS/COA's Senior Director of Policy Christopher Sabatini and Kissinger Associates' Stephanie Junger-Moat.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper travels to Mexico and Panama in the coming days. Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin writes about the probable inking of a trade deal during the prime minister's Panama visit as well as the successful conclusion of Ottawa's trade deal with Peru.

The Wilson Center’s Andrew Selee writes in the Houston Chronicle on U.S.-Mexican collaboration to combat drug violence and trafficking. “[W]hile stepped-up enforcement on the border is certainly welcome, it can hardly be the primary solution,” he writes. Excerpted from an Americas Quarterly essay.

"Concrete policy proposals and actions are required in order to keep the momentum and show the hemisphere, through deeds as well as words, that we really have embarked upon a new path in hemispheric affairs," writes COA's Eric Farnsworth in an article for Poder.