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2. How far can North American political and economic integration go?

RZ:There is an opportunity for deeper economic integration while recognizing these three countries, for historical reasons, have a very strong sense of sovereignty and independence. Unlike the European model, which is trying to share sovereignty through the European Union. That would never work in North America.

The question is how do we get the benefits of integration but also have a model that respects national sovereignty? Frankly, what could also be a model here is that I don’t know of another model for deep potential integration between developing and developed countries.

3. What role will energy play in North American integration?

RZ: The changes in energy in all three countries is the principle force that can drive a re-look at this issue and it’s not an energy independence issue because we’re still talking about global oil prices but there is no doubt you have potential self-sufficiency. I do think that energy is a potential game-changer on a number of fronts … we’ve got to take advantage of this.

4. Why is a continental approach such a challenge in North America?

RZ: What we have seen in North America is that if you do have a high-level commitment that can help drive the system. We saw it with Mulroney, Reagan and Bush. An we’ve seen it with Bush and Clinton over Mexico. You do need to have the top level.

It won’t just happen if you take it for granted. Part of our point is to be successful at integration, the U.S. in particular must be sensitive to realizing the sense of sovereignty in Canada and Mexico is very strong and we should understand that because it’s pretty strong in the United States, too.