Introduction
Throughout the twentieth century, the United States-Canada northern border checks were low-intensity, minimal, and less concerned. Border control concerns were never a priority in bilateral ties or trade. The low-key approach to border staffing was mutually beneficial, accepted, and continued until the 1990s. After the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) agreement undercut illicit economic, that included the smuggling of narcotics, cigarettes, migrants, and weaponry, there was a rapid increase in legitimate trade movements across the borderline. The shady side of the developing US-Canada commercial conduct was never on the national political discussion and did not become a required cause of cross-border friction.
Impact of the Attack
Unfortunately, the 9/11 attacks changed the relations between the United States and Canada regarding addressing the two nations’ longest border. Previously, the two nations gave the border scant importance until it became known as the world’s longest unprotected border (Mielusel, 2021). These incidents created a high level of worry since the US-Canada boundary was a fully prepared political liability for the ones who condemned America’s susceptibility to terrorism on lax border security. Even though the emphasis was on the United States-Canada boundary, the problem was terrorism. The new border patrol rhetoric resembled the older and more known drug and immigration security discourse that has defined US-Mexico border relationships.
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US Congress ordered increased security agents stationed along the United States border. The US dispatched National Guard soldiers to examine, secure, and monitor border crossing locations. Furthermore, United States Coast Guard ordered all vessels traveling across the border to be stopped for assessment to offer escort services to cargo ships, oil tankers, and gas (Wakefield, 2021). In addition to the incoming security guard, there was security technology and new surveillance. The US deployed sophisticated camera sensors with night-vision binocular capability and a satellite tracking device, and there were early indications of a military post being established near the border. The security measures were designed to identify any unwanted entry or exit across the northern borderline.
New Measures
New security precautions have also been introduced on the Canadian side of the wall. After the terrorist attacks, Canada increased vigilance at border crossings. Ever since, it has boosted airport security, created new funds for detecting goods and personnel, signed legislation to combat terrorist financing, and frozen the resources of some recognized terrorist organizations. Stringent immigration control laws have included the adoption of a fraud-resistant residency permit for new immigrants, enhanced detention capability and deportation activities, improved security checks for refugee claims, and a visa regime tightening.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Malaysian visitors must get visas before entering Canada. The most significant changes in Canadian legislation have been the 2001 act on antiterrorism and the public safety act in 2002, which have granted security and police agencies more excellent monitoring and enforcement capabilities (Clapton, 2022).Unlike their counterparts in Mexico, Canadian officials have tried to impress and gratify the US with a new awareness of security while highlighting the significance of sovereign rights and policymaking autonomy. It seeks to avoid the perception that its policy changes are a confirmation of the US demands and desires of Canada.
As a result, there was virtually immediate mayhem at the border, considering that the United States and Canada undertake US$1.3 billion in commerce every day, the majority of that being transported by truck all over the border (Panetta, 2020). In the days following the9/11attacks, movement across the border were paralyzed, stranding the transport of commodities and perishable goods. It is the busiest border in the world, with over 27 percent of US-Canada commerce passing through it.
The car sector was heavily damaged by border protection and activity. Many automakers that produce parts in Canada and send them to United States assembly facilities cost-effectively and timely have become exposed to border security procedures (Felbab-Brown, 2021). For example, the 9/11 attacks caused a scarcity of automobile parts in the United States. In response, Ford closed its engine factory in Windsor and its car parts in Detroit.
Although many have highlighted the car industry’s cross-border reliance as proof of mutual susceptibility to border closures, there is no reason to expect that the sector would not ultimately adjust to persistent border disruptions. However, eliminating the Canadian vehicle sector means eliminating the primary supply from the United States (Burnett, 2021). The two nations can no longer disregard the border as they did before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Policymakers in the United States and Canada are now attempting to safeguard the world’s longest unprotected border. They want to build a border that serves as a superior police barricade and a business-friendly socioeconomic bridge.
Conclusion
The tensions and confrontations over border control concerns have historically characterized US-Mexico ties. The same is becoming broadly relevant in US-Canada ties. Before the 9/11 attacks, border control concerns between the United States and Canada were usually kept low-key and depoliticized. Nevertheless, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, border protection issues have grown more visible and political. Some opponents claim that if the United States relies on Canada to secure its border, the problems encountered with Mexico will reoccur. The United States must safeguard its boundary with Canada while still allowing open flows of legitimate trade, but it must be vigilant against security risks and illegal trade.
References
Burnett, J. (2021). The Security Crackdown After 9/11 Permanently Altered Life At The U.S.-Mexico Border. Npr. Web.
Clapton, W. (2022). Immigration, risk, and security under the Trump Administration: Keeping ‘undesirables’ out. Palgrave Macmillan.
Felbab-Brown, V. (2021). 9-11 and the US-Mexico border: New challenges 20 years later. Brookings. Web.
Mielusel, R. (2021). Artistic (self)-representations of Islam and Muslims: Perspectives across France and the Maghreb. Palgrave Macmillan.
Panetta, A. (2020). How the shutdown after 9/11 paved the way for the new Canada-U.S. border response to COVID-19. Cbc. Web.
Wakefield, A. (2021). Security and crime converging perspectives on a complex world. SAGE.