Course Description

The re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA 2.0) started on August 16, 2017, in Washington.  This course is designed to provide participants with as-close- real-life-as possible experience of what it would be like to be participating in one of four Working Groups (trade in goods, trade in services, investment and intellectual property rights) in these negotiations.  The course is highly-interactive, using a simulation of a hypothetical Canada-US-Mexico negotiation to provide hands-on experience in how to prepare, conduct and finalize a trade agreement to advance Canada’s commercial interests. The course is designed and delivered by former senior Canadian trade negotiators and diplomats to make the course as practical and “real world” as possible.

Target audience

The course is designed for junior and mid-level officials from trade and trade-related ministries of Canadian federal and provincial governments, international trade consultants and representatives of business associations, private firms and nongovernmental institutions that have an interest in further understanding how complex trade agreements are negotiated and modernized.

Learning objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • design an effective trade negotiation strategy to advance Canada’s commercial interests
  • develop negotiating positions, participate in trade negotiation delegations, and know how to achieve a successful negotiating outcome;
  • use different strategies and tactics to manage effectively each stage of the trade negotiation process;
  • draft and negotiate the legal text for an international trade agreement to which Canada could be a signatory; and
  • develop further practical skills in advocacy, problem solving, legal research and analysis, and oral and written communication.

Learning approach

Under the supervision of coaches, participants will plan negotiating mandates and strategies. They will draft negotiating statements and texts to be presented during the negotiation. The outcome of the simulation is a text reflecting the level of agreement reached between the negotiating parties.

The course does not require prior detailed knowledge of international trade policy.  Participants will be provided the necessary background for full participation in the simulation.

The course instructors will provide practical instruction on negotiating strategies and techniques, and direction on how to formulate and execute strategies to achieve negotiating objectives. These overviews will be followed by presentations by subject matter experts on the negotiating issues to be addressed in the simulation.

Participants will be assigned to one of three teams (Canada, Mexico or the United States) in the simulation.  Each team member will take on the role of subject matter expert, lead negotiator on a particular issue, or Chief Negotiator.

Participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement at the end of the course.

Cost: $1,250 + HST

For more information about the course, please contact Lisa Scheltema at lisa.scheltema@carleton.ca