Communications and Media
Experts Available: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s State Visit
WHO: American University experts
WHAT: The state visit of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
WHEN: Wednesday, March 9– ongoing
WHERE: In-studio, on campus, via email or via telephone
Background: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, will visit American University’s School of International Service on Friday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m., as part of his first visit to the nation’s capital since his election in October, 2015. Prime Minister Trudeau will deliver a short address and answer American University students’ questions.
American University experts are available to provide comments on a wide range of topics related to U.S. foreign policy and U.S.-Canada relations. AU experts will be available leading up to and immediately after Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to campus on Friday.
Foreign affairs, U.S. foreign policy
James Goldgeier, dean of American University's School of International Service, served on the National Security Council Staff and at the State Department during the Clinton administration. Dean Goldgeier's areas of expertise include 20th and 21st century U.S. presidents' foreign policy agendas, contemporary U.S. foreign policy as it relates to international security, and relations with industrialized nations and the emerging economies.
Goldgeier says: “AU’s School of International Service invited Prime Minister Trudeau not only because of his status as a world leader, but also because of the active and vocal stance he has taken on a wide range of issues. SIS teaches our students that learning requires engagement, and it will be terrific for our students to directly engage with him on some of the ideas he has promoted around the world. We expect a lively discussion, as our students never shy away from asking challenging, but thoughtful, questions about complex foreign policy issues.”
Michael Schroeder, professor, School of International Service, is director of the school’s Global Governance, Politics, and Security Master’s Program. His research focuses on the United Nations system, political leadership and global governance and international organizations. Schroeder is currently working on a book investigating why some executive heads of international organizations are viewed as more successful leaders than others and the strategies these leaders employ to help their organization adapt to changes in world politics. Schroeder is a Canadian citizen and can provide a unique perspective on the importance of this visit to a Canadian living and working in the U.S. He spearheaded the successful invitation to Prime Minister Trudeau to visit AU.
Schroeder says: “In my classes, we wrestle with tough questions about why countries sometimes work together to solve global problems and sometimes fail to cooperate. The prime minister’s visit gives students a unique opportunity to participate in the public debate with a national leader who has made global cooperation a priority. This is the kind of learning experience that every teacher hopes to give his students, but rarely gets the opportunity to provide.”
Canadian foreign policy
Amitav Acharya, professor of international relations, AU’s School of International Service, is author of The End of American World Order (Polity 2014). Acharya serves as the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance and Chair of the ASEAN Studies Center at American University. Acharya is a Canadian citizen and can discuss Canadian foreign policy, including policies concerning China and Asia. (Available via phone and Skype)
International trade
Frank L. DuBois, PhD Chair, is associate professor of International Business and Chair of the International Business Department at AU’s Kogod Business School. His research focuses on global supply chain management, customs facilitation, country of origin impacts and industrial cluster theory. He is also the author of the Kogod Made in America Auto Index. He will be available by phone or Skype to discuss topics related to the U.S.-Canada trade relationship.
DuBois says: “Two interesting trade disputes have taken center stage with respect to trade between the U.S. and Canada. One having to do with softwood lumber used in housing construction and the other with meat sold in the US. The U.S. and Canada have been for many years each other’s largest trading partners, with total trade flows of goods and services of around $575 billion in 2015. Only surpassed by U.S. trade with China. As such, Canada is an extremely important trading partner and a major recipient of job creating U.S. exports.”
Climate Change policy
Dan Fiorino is the director of the Center for Environmental Policy and executive-in-residence in AU’s School of Public Affairs. He teaches courses on environmental policy, energy and climate change, environmental sustainability, and public management in the public administration and policy department. Fionrino joined American University in 2009 after a career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He can discuss environmental policy.
Fiorino says: "Climate change presents some of the biggest policy challenges of our time. Working together, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama offer a powerful alliance for global action."
Simon Nicholson, AU School of International Service professor, serves on the global environmental politics faculty and is co-author of Global Environmental Politics: From Person to Planet (Paradigm Publishers).
Nicholson says: "The recent Paris climate talks signal new international ambition to respond to climate change. That ambition, though, must be matched by action. The United States and Canada have been notable laggards on climate. Coordinated actions to cut methane emissions, speed renewable energy transition, and protect the Arctic will be welcomed by the world."