Trouble at the Border?: How 9/11 Policy Changes Continue to Impact US- Canada Border Relations While the Border is Faced with New Challenges

Abstract

The United States and Canada share a long history of cooperation and dependency on each other in regards to trade, prosperity and security, which has created a unique relationship between the two nations. In the center of US-Canada relations is their shared border, a complex area, which is directly connected to many aspects of their relations including trade, national security and immigration. After 9/11 a drastic overhauling of policies regarding the border took place, mostly motivated by Washington’s fear of terrorism, which has continued to affect the border negatively, especially trade relations. Within the scope of my thesis I will examine how the change in policies after 9/11 has changed US-Canada border relations and lead to what many scholars refer to as a thickening of the border. Further I will explore potential solutions towards an improved well-functioning border, which allow for a smooth flow of goods and people while keeping the border secure from terrorism and illegal border crossings.