The global recession has had a devastating impact on Canada’s international trade. As economies rebound and demand resumes, trade will pick up again. But does this mean Canada can look forward to a healthy trade outlook? This report suggests not.

Canada’ trade profile going into the recession was discouraging. Well before the recession struck, value chains and other aspects of the ascending international business model were revolutionizing global production and the way the world does business. A tough business at the best of times, trade is likely to get a lot tougher still as firms compete for recovering markets and capital flows.

As this report explains, the challenge is not simply how to survive the recession—it is how Canada can emerge from the recession better positioned for success in the global economy than it is now.