As Lester B. Pearson once said: “Politics is the skillful use of blunt objects.” Politics can create disagreements and conflicts between two countries, but it can also affect relations between countries. Canadian Prime Minister Diefenbaker's refusal to accept American warheads hindered Canadian and American relations. Yet in many ways we still help each other. Canada benefits from close ties with the United States of America because it helps our economy, shapes our culture and provides military protection. First of all, Canada benefits from close ties with America because it helps us with our economy. In the late 1950s and 1960s the opening of American branches was introduced to Canadians. American companies would come to Canada and open large American companies to serve Canadian consumers. New policies began to be enacted in 1965 such as the Automotive Products Trade Agreement (APTA or Autopact). This policy allowed the free movement of vehicles between the Canadian and American borders. This also allowed the American branch plants to operate in Canada without having to pay tariffs. Today it is estimated that over 50% of businesses operating in Canada are foreign-owned. However this can be considered a positive aspect as it has provided many jobs for Canadians. There has also been a great deal of persuasion from Canadian consumers to purchase items made in Canada because it helps increase jobs in Canada. Another reason why American ties help the Canadian economy is because America is Canada's largest trading partner. Considering the geographical position between Canada and America, to cross its border it is sufficient to cross the land with a vehicle. Both countries are in the middle... middle of the paper... two countries didn't help each other, we wouldn't know the world as we know it today. Works Cited Bolotta, Angelo, Charles Hawkes, Fred Jarman, Marc Keirstead and Jennifer Watt, Canada: The Face of a Nation. Toronto: Gage Educational Publishing Company,2000.Todd, Daigneault, "The Influence of the United States on Canadian Culture", North American Culture, http://www.lifepaths360.com/index.php/the-influence-of-the - unit-states-on-canadian-culture-7437/,(accessed May 26, 2014).Bruce Cherne,"Ford plant of Canada - 150 Model Ts were produced daily in company's Portage and Wall building", Winnipeg Speakers , http://www.winnipegrealestatenews.com/Resources/Article/?sysid=1803, (accessed May 26, 2014).BookRagsMediaNetwork, BrainyQuote, http://www.brainyquote.com/ quotes/quotes/l/lesterbpe1- 0256.html, (accessed May 26 2014).