The Second Relationship - the shadows of the US and past in EU-Canada relations

Abstract: The focus of this thesis is the EU-Canada relationship and the perplexing notion that despite common fundamental values and interests in foreign affairs as well as enduring historical ties, cooperation between these like-minded actors is not as developed as would be expected. Using the method of process-tracing, the objective is to clarify what could be the reasons behind this condition. No single theory or model can on its own adequately explain this question and I will thus put forward my argumentation in two complementary perspectives or ‘cuts’. Each of these cuts bears reference to different theoretical rationales, i.e. various aspects of power relations and the concept of path-dependency. I will argue that only in unison do the two cuts give a comprehensive understanding of EU-Canada relations. In particular the imperative of the US, the fundamental asymmetry in economic relations between Canada and Europe, and past experiences will prove consequential for the prospects of evolving bilateral EU-Canada relations, demonstrating that the EU-Canada relationship is stipulated by the shadows of the US and past.