Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who forged close ties with two Republican U.S. presidents through a free trade agreement that was once vilified but now celebrated has died. He was 84.

A new book argues that for the U.S. to become more globally competitive and create good jobs, we must embrace and expand trade with Canada and Mexico.

What it means for the U.S. to be on the sidelines of another major trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which 15 countries agreed to Sunday.