CUSLI Conference

From Washington to the Classroom: Bringing Canada–U.S. Relations to Life

Standing on the rooftop of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., overlooking the U.S. Capitol ,MBEL lecturer Will Randall II wasn't just thinking about politics; he was thinking about what today's students need to understand to succeed tomorrow.

Earlier this spring, Randall attended the Canada–United States Law Institute (CUSLI) Conference, where diplomats, academics, journalists, business leaders, and policy-makers gathered to discuss the future of one of the world's most important bilateral relationships.

His biggest takeaway wasn't a specific policy announcement or trade statistic. It was something far more relevant to future business leaders: uncertainty.

"We're entering a period where many of the assumptions we've relied on for decades can no longer be taken for granted," Randall said. "There aren't always clear answers, and organizations need to learn how to operate and make decisions in that environment.".

For him, that observation became a powerful reminder of how politics, economics, and public perception can shape business realities.

Those lessons will now make their way into the classroom.

Rather than treating international business, trade regulation, and governance as purely academic subjects, Randall plans to use current Canada–U.S. developments as a real-world case study in negotiation, leadership, and decision-making. Students will have the opportunity to examine how governments, businesses, and institutions navigate competing interests, shifting priorities, and unpredictable outcomes.

"Sound economic principles don't always determine political decisions," he said. "Understanding how law, politics, and business interact is essential."

For Randall, attending conferences like CUSLI is about more than professional development. It's about ensuring students are connected to the conversations shaping the world beyond the classroom.

As global events continue to influence markets, industries, and public policy, those conversations have never been more important.

Pictured: Will Randall II at the Embassy of Canada to the United States in Washington, D.C., following the Canada–United States Law Institute Conference.