At one time deemed too dangerous, the utilization of nuclear energy is a prospect increasingly discussed by North American and world leaders. In recognition of global warming and the need to replace coal and oil-based energy sources, the Canadian and American governments have recently breathed new life into their clean energy agendas with spending commitments that will see the continuation and increase of nuclear energy projects on both sides of the border.

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is a major partner in the online resource, Global Trade Alert (GTA). This project is an independent initiative also supported by the Centre for Economic Policy Research, the International Development Research Centre and the World Bank. It provides real-time information on state measures taken during the current global downturn that are likely to affect foreign commerce.

A recent report published by the Fraser Institute indicates that "Canada's top economic security interest remains unimpeded access to the US market." The report, entitled ‘Canada-US Relations in 2010', argues that economic integration has become more challenging as concerns about border security, procurement, and carbon emissions prevent trade among the two countries.

Nearly twenty years have passed since the end of the Cold War - a period in which the greatest increases in nuclear weapons stockpiles were amassed. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both continued to expand nuclear targets and the readiness to utilize pre-emptive strikes in the face of rising threats of chemical and biological attacks.

The Border Barometer, published in February 2010, is a tool developed by Western Washington University's Border Policy Research Institute, and University at Buffalo's Regional Institute of economic activity along the US-Canadian border. Published annually, the Border Barometer serves to provide a clearer understanding of trade and security issues that arise along the border and at individual ports of entry. It is a project funded by the BORDERNET initiative of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Read the Border Barometer

Sponsored in part by the Centre for International Governance Innovation, The North America Works Conference in Kansas City took place from November 4-6, 2009. Bringing together well known academics and practitioners in the field, several sessions were held on topics such as borders, trade, transportation and other pressing issues involving Canada, the US, and Mexico. The conference featured Dr. Stephen Blank, Co-Chair of the North American Transportation Competitiveness Research Council who is also a CIGI Senior Fellow and a member of the Portal for North America's Steering Committee.

Mexico has substantially improved its ranking on an influential list of destinations for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The 2010 A.T. Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, produced by A. T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm, indexes the outlook of senior executives at many of the largest companies in the world.

Recent activity by the Obama administration points to the possibility of a breakthrough in the ongoing cross-border trucking dispute between Mexico and the United States.  Following his two-day visit to Mexico on February 8 and 9, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk had optimistic predictions for the settlement of the dispute.  In an interview with Reuters, the Representative noted that President Obama had successfully persuaded Congress to remove a clause in the 2010 appropriations bill that had effectively prohibited the movement of Mexican transport trucks into the United Sta

On February 1, 2010, US President Barack Obama announced his government's economic priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. In the 2011 Budget Obama revealed that he would need to take the country US $3.8 trillion further into debt in an effort to maintain economic recovery.