That rhetoric about human rights is a lot of BS and wasted time. Business is one thing and ideology is another; they don't mix.
We don't like it, but we all have to acknowledge that human rights means different things in different cultures. What Western societies consider fair, equitable and humane are considered too lenient in another culture.
Countries like Saudi Arabia and China protect themselves against 'people power' which they believe will undermine the power of the rulers and cause chaos in the country. Like it does in Western societies.
A sovereign nation makes its own laws. The people know the law. They would be wise to obey the law if they don't want to be punished.
Yes, I believe human rights are important and that regimes like Saudi Arabia are barbaric but what right have we to dictate our standards to them?
There's too much world wide interference in what other countries do. It's not up to any society to interfere with another as long as the 'other' is not affecting us. Sound cold-hearted? Yes, but it makes sense. Interference in affairs that do not concern us directly is one of the causes of world conflict.
When I go to a store to buy a big sharp knife they don't ask me if I promise not to use it to slit somebody's throat!
If we are going to manufacture and sell military supplies to other countries fine. Do it without a bunch of empty promises to not use it. What the hell do you think countries buy arms for?
If we want to negotiate about human rights, do that on a diplomatic basis, not as part of a trade deal.
Trudeau is the hypocrite here on two levels; 1) He criticized the deal when the Conservatives were making it and advised against it. and 2) he is not transparent and open any more than the Conservatives were.
